Court orders freezing of 121 bank accounts of ex-MP Salahuddin Jewel, family

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 121 bank accounts, along with three Mobile Financial Services (MFS) accounts and three BO accounts, belonging to former Khulna-2 MP Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, his wife, three brothers, their spouses, and other related parties.

The order was issued today (30 November) by Senior Special Judge Mohammad Sabbir Foyez of Dhaka Metropolitan Court, following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The accounts hold a total of Tk48.48 crore, confirmed by court bench assistant Mohammad Riaz Hossain.

The ACC's Assistant Director and investigating officer of the case Ferdous Rahman filed the petition, citing allegations of illicit wealth accumulation. An ACC investigation team has been formed to probe the matter.

The frozen accounts include those held by Sheikh Salahuddin, his wife Shahana Yasmin, his brother Sheikh Sohel and Sohel's wife Shirin Sheikh, Sheikh Jalal Uddin Rubel and his wife Farmina Khanam, Sheikh Belal Uddin and his wife Sheikh Wahida Sultana, Tahmina Kabir, and their children or related interests.

ACC said reliable sources indicate the accused were attempting to transfer or misappropriate funds from these accounts. Authorities stressed that freezing the accounts is essential to prevent potential losses to the state before the investigation is completed.

Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel is a businessman and was elected to the Jatiyo Sangsad from Khulna-2 in both the 11th and 12th national parliamentary elections, the latter held in 2024.