Court orders freezing of 41 bank accounts linked to former Rajshahi mayor Liton, family
The CID argued that freezing the accounts were essential for a fair investigation, as the funds deposited are suspected to be the proceeds of crime while the investigation into the family's financial dealings continues
A Dhaka court today (11 January) ordered the freezing of 41 bank accounts belonging to AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, former mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), along with accounts linked to his family members and affiliated business entities.
Judge Md Sabbir Faiz of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court passed the order following a petition filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police.
CID Inspector Mohammad Kamruzzaman, the petitioner, informed the court that preliminary investigations have uncovered evidence of unusual transactions, organised crime, and money laundering.
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The petition stated that Liton, who is also a praesidium member of the now-banned Awami League, along with his associates, allegedly used these bank accounts to transfer illegitimate funds, acquire assets, and maintain a lavish lifestyle, all of which constitute offences under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.
The CID argued that freezing the accounts were essential for a fair investigation, as the funds deposited are suspected to be the proceeds of crime while the investigation into the family's financial dealings continues.
The freezing of these accounts follows the filing of three separate cases by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against Liton, his wife Shaheen Akhter, and their daughter Anika Fariha Zaman last year.
The anti-graft body accuses the family of illegally amassing wealth worth approximately Tk29 crore and engaging in suspicious transactions totalling over Tk130 crore.
According to the ACC's findings, Liton is accused of abusing his power to accumulate illegal assets worth Tk10.35 crore, with suspicious transactions of Tk52.23 crore identified across 12 accounts in his name.
His wife, Shaheen, is accused of acquiring wealth worth Tk11.41 crore beyond known income sources with her husband's assistance, while investigators found suspicious transactions exceeding Tk76 crore in 13 accounts under her name.
Furthermore, their daughter, Anika, is accused of amassing assets worth Tk6.81 crore in collusion with her father.
The accused are facing charges under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
Liton, a high-profile leader of the ousted Awami League, has been in hiding since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on 5 August 2024.
A court issued a travel ban on 6 March 2025 against Liton, his wife, and their two daughters, Anika and Maysa Samiha Zaman, to prevent them from leaving the country.
