Former law minister Anisul, 3 others sued in extortion charge
According to the CID’s Financial Crime Unit that they found the accused formed an organised criminal syndicate collaborating with each other to systematically extort large sums of money over an extended period.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (10 January) filed a case against former law minister Anisul Huq, his close associate and female friend Towfika Karim, and two others on charge of extorting nearly Tk25 crore.
The other accused are Md Rashedul Kawsar Bhuiyan alias Jibon and Md Kamruzzaman.
CID Special Superintendent of Police (media) Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed it, adding that the case was filed under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.
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According to the CID's Financial Crime Unit that they found the accused formed an organised criminal syndicate collaborating with each other to systematically extort large sums of money over an extended period.
The gang collected regular monthly payments of Tk10 lakh from individuals and institutions through accounts operated at the National Bank of Pakistan's Gulshan branch.
The investigation found that Md Kamruzzaman joined the National Bank of Pakistan as managing director in 2015. After assuming office, he allegedly facilitated the transfer of funds to Towfika Karim's personal bank account through a nominal legal advisory agreement with her law firm, "Sirajul Huq Associates."
Under this arrangement, money was transferred regularly in the name of legal fees, investigators said.
The gang had collected Tk10.80 crore from the bank alone until Kamruzzaman went into hiding on 5 August 2024.
In addition, the investigation found evidence that Toufika received nearly Tk10.60 crore more in her personal bank accounts from various individuals and organisations as extortion money.
CID further alleged that after becoming law minister, Anisul appointed Toufika and Md Rashedul as his personal assistants. At the same time, he formed a non-governmental organisation named 'Legal Assistance to Helpless Prisoners and Persons'. Within this NGO, Toufika served as chairperson, Md Rashedul as secretary general, and Anisul himself as treasurer.
Investigators said the NGO's bank account, operated at Sonali Bank PLC's Supreme Court branch, was used to collect regular payments from different individuals and entities. From 11 March 2015 to 30 June 2024, a total of Tk24.53 crore was deposited into the NGO's account, which the CID alleges was extorted money.
Based on these findings, the CID filed the case. CID sources said that during the investigation, a total of 26 bank accounts in Toufika's name—holding Tk24.53 crore—were frozen following an order from a Dhaka court.
