[🇧🇩] The fate of big guns/beneficiaries of Awami League after the student revolution

[Saif]

Former MP and singer Momtaz arrested

Former Awami League MP and renowned folk singer Momtaz Begum was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Monday. She was apprehended from a residence behind Star Kabab in the Dhanmondi area around 11:45 PM and is currently being held at the DB office on Mintoo Road, a

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Former MP and singer Momtaz arrested
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 13, 2025 00:41
Updated :
May 13, 2025 00:41

Former Awami League MP and renowned folk singer Momtaz Begum was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Monday.

She was apprehended from a residence behind Star Kabab in the Dhanmondi area around 11:45 PM and is currently being held at the DB office on Mintoo Road, as per local media reports.

According to police sources, Momtaz Begum faces multiple charges related to the July uprising, including several murder cases. Authorities have indicated that she will be presented before the court on Tuesday, with a remand application to be filed .

This arrest follows earlier legal actions against her. In October 2024, Momtaz Begum, along with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others, was sued for attempted murder in connection with an alleged attack on a BNP activist in June 2022 .

Additionally, in the same month, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) ordered the freezing of her personal and business bank accounts for 30 days under anti-money laundering regulations .

Momtaz Begum, often referred to as the "Music Queen," served as the Member of Parliament for Manikganj-2 from 2014 to 2024 and previously held a reserved women's seat from 2009 to 2013. She has recorded around 700 albums and has been a prominent figure in Bangladesh's folk music scene .​

 

[Saif]

AL leader Zeenat Sohana arrested in Ctg

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) arrested Advocate Zeenat Sohana Chowdhury, a leader of Chattogram North District Mahila Awami League (AL) from the city’s Aturar Depot area under Bayezid Bostami Thana early on Tuesday. She is the Chattogram divisional Coordinator of the AL-backed NGO Suc

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

AL leader Zeenat Sohana arrested in Ctg
Published :
May 13, 2025 18:17
Updated :
May 13, 2025 18:17

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) arrested Advocate Zeenat Sohana Chowdhury, a leader of Chattogram North District Mahila Awami League (AL) from the city’s Aturar Depot area under Bayezid Bostami Thana early on Tuesday.

She is the Chattogram divisional Coordinator of the AL-backed NGO Suchinta Foundation, confirmed OC Md Arifur Rahman, of Biyazid Thana, reports BSS.

Zeenat, a former member of Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) was picked up from a residence under Biyazid Bostami Thana around 1:00 am, OC Arifur added.

She has been accused in a case filed over a clash between police and followers of Chinmoy Krishna Brahmachari on December 4 last year at Chattogram Court premises.

The case, filed with Kotwali police station, includes 29 people, including Zeenat and leaders of the Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, and ISKCON. Additionally, 40-50 unnamed individuals were also implicated.

Originally from Raozan upazila, Zeenat had submitted a nomination paper for a reserved women’s seat on behalf of the AL during the 11th national parliamentary election.

According to the sources, she is a former member of Chattogram Women’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She is also the chairman of Farmin Group of Industries Ltd and was a member of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Her husband, Md Imran, currently serves as the president of the Florida chapter of the Awami League in the United States and is a former general secretary.

He also served as the joint general secretary of Chattogram University Chhatra League.​

 

[Saif]

Momtaz placed on four-day remand in murder case

A court has given police four days to question Momtaz Begum, popular singer and former MP for Manikganj-2, in their custody in connection with the murder of hawker Md Sagar in Dhaka's Mirpur during last year's July Uprising. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana issued the remand order on Tuesd

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Momtaz placed on four-day remand in murder case
Published :
May 13, 2025 17:33
Updated :
May 13, 2025 17:52

A court has given police four days to question Momtaz Begum, popular singer and former MP for Manikganj-2, in their custody in connection with the murder of hawker Md Sagar in Dhaka's Mirpur during last year's July Uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana issued the remand order on Tuesday following a hearing on a police petition, reports bdnews24.com.

Monirul Islam, a sub-inspector from Mirpur Model Police Station and the case's investigating officer, produced Momtaz in court and sought a seven-day remand for interrogation.

After hearing the petition, the magistrate granted a four-day remand.

Momtaz was apprehended by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in the capital’s Dhanmondi on Monday night, according to spokesman Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman.

Momtaz was then formally arrested in the Sagar murder case.

According to the case dossier, hawker Sagar took part in the July Uprising on Jul 19 in the Mirpur-10 roundabout area. It alleges that the suspects attacked and fired upon the protesters that day at 4:30pm. Sagar was shot in the chest.

His mother, Beauty Akhtar, found his body at a private hospital at 3am the following day.

On Nov 17, Beauty filed a case at Mirpur Model Police Station over the incident. Deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 242 others were named in the case, alongside 250-400 unnamed suspects. Momtaz is suspect No. 49 in the case.

The three-time MP has been accused in several cases filed in Manikganj following the fall of the Awami League government.

Momtaz became a member of the 9th parliament in 2008 on Awami League’s nomination. She was later elected with the boat symbol.

However, the singer lost to another Awami League leader who stood as an independent candidate in the 12th parliamentary election.

She has been named in several cases filed over the deaths during the mass uprising.

The DMP official, however, has yet to clarify the specific charges against the lawmaker.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of Bangladesh Bank, has already frozen her bank account.​

 

[Saif]

Court freezes bank accounts of ex-DB chief Harun’s father-in-law, brother

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of a 10-storey building owned by Mohammad Solaiman, father-in-law of Harun-or-Rashid, the former head of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and frozen five bank accounts linked to Solaiman. It has also frozen two bank accounts belong

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Court freezes bank accounts of ex-DB chief Harun’s father-in-law, brother
Published :
May 15, 2025 21:48
Updated :
May 15, 2025 21:48

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of a 10-storey building owned by Mohammad Solaiman, father-in-law of Harun-or-Rashid, the former head of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and frozen five bank accounts linked to Solaiman.

It has also frozen two bank accounts belonging to Harun’s brother, according to bdnews24.com.

The orders were issued on Thursday by Judge Zakir Hossain Galib of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judges’ Court, following separate petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam, the applications were submitted by Deputy Director Zainal Abedin.

Earlier, on Feb 19, the same court ordered the seizure of 29.16 hectares of land registered under the names of Harun and his brother ABM Shahriar. On the same day, 21 of their bank accounts, as well as shares in three companies were frozen.

On Aug 27, the court imposed a travel ban on Harun and his wife Shirin Akhter.

Later, on Jan 8, the court issued an order to seize the income tax records of both Harun and his brother Shahriar.

Harun, once a powerful figure under the ousted Awami League government, faces allegations of amassing vast wealth through abuse of power.

He is accused of owning around 24 houses and more than 50 flats and plots across the capital, both in his own name and under proxies.

The ACC has also received reports of Harun’s assets abroad, including in the United States, Dubai, and Jeddah.

Harun served as chief of the Detective Branch from July 2022 until July 31, 2023, when he was reassigned as additional commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the DMP, four days before the fall of the previous government.

Since the shift in power, his whereabouts remain unknown.​

 

[Saif]

Court bars former Awami League ministers Nanak, Tajul from leaving country

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former jute and textile minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, his wife Syeda Arjuman Banu, and their daughter S Amreen Rakhi. A similar restriction has also been imposed on AB Tajul Islam, former state minister for Liberation War affairs. The orders were passed o

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Court bars former Awami League ministers Nanak, Tajul from leaving country

Published :
May 18, 2025 21:24
Updated :
May 18, 2025 21:24

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former jute and textile minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, his wife Syeda Arjuman Banu, and their daughter S Amreen Rakhi.

A similar restriction has also been imposed on AB Tajul Islam, former state minister for Liberation War affairs.

The orders were passed on Sunday by Dhaka’s Senior Metropolitan Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib, following petitions submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), reports bdnews24.com.

According to ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam, the petition was filed by ACC Director Jalal Uddin Ahmed.

According to the petition, there is a risk that Nanak and his family might flee the country, which could obstruct legal proceedings in the ongoing case.

A separate petition was submitted by ACC Assistant Director Habibur Rahman to bar Tajul from leaving the country, citing an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal wealth accumulation.

The ACC argued that Tajul may attempt to evade justice by leaving the country at any time.

On Jan 15, the ACC filed a case against Nanak, Arjuman, and Rakhi, accusing them of laundering Tk 2.6 billion through a telecom company.

According to the case statement, Arjuman and Rakhi previously served as chairperson and director of Ratul Telecom Limited. During their tenure, they allegedly laundered approximately Tk 2.6 billion using Nanak’s influence.​

 

[Saif]

Freeze accounts of ex-Rajuk chair, ex-BGB DG, wife: courts

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge on Monday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission to freeze 13 beneficiary owner accounts of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha former chairman Md Siddiqur Rahman Sarker and his wife...

www.newagebd.net

Freeze accounts of ex-Rajuk chair, ex-BGB DG, wife: courts
Staff Correspondent 19 May, 2025, 21:43

Mohammad Shafeenul Islam | Collected photo

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge on Monday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission to freeze 13 beneficiary owner accounts of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha former chairman Md Siddiqur Rahman Sarker and his wife Gazi Rebeka Rowsun for their alleged involvement in corruption.

The court also issued travel ban on the Criminal Investigation Department’s former chief Mohammad Ali Mia and Northern University of Bangladesh’s trustee board chairman professor Abu Yusuf Md Abdullah over graft allegations.

Judge Md Jakir Hossain of the court passed the orders following separate petitions submitted by the ACC.

The court ordered ACC to freeze 13 beneficiary owner accounts of Rajuk former chairman Siddiqur and his wife Rebeka responding to a petition submitted by ACC director Md Abul Hasnat.

According to the allegations, Siddiqur, during his tenure as the chairman of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, amassed huge illegal wealth in the names of himself and his family members through corruption.

The Awami League regime in April 2024 appointed Siddiqur as RAJUK chairman for a two-year term.

After the fall of the AL regime on August 5, 2024, the interim government on September 19, 2024 canceled his appointment.

The interim government on September 22 reinstated him to the post.

In March this year, the government again canceled his appointment.

The court on Monday issued a travel ban on NUB chairman, professor Abu Yusuf Md Abdullah, and his family members responding to a petition submitted by ACC assistant director Sajidur Roman.

Yusuf’s other family members who are facing the travel ban are Yusuf’s wife Halima Sultana, his son Saad Al Jabir Abdullah, daughter Labiba Abdullah, and another family member Habibun Nahar.

On May 13, the ACC initiated an inquiry into the allegations of amassing illegal wealth by NUB’s trustee board chairman professor Abu Yusuf Md Abdullah and his family members.

The court also imposed a travel ban on CID’s former chief Mohammad Ali Mia over graft allegations.

The anti-graft body in its plea told the court that ACC was conducting an inquiry into the allegations of amassing illegal wealth by Mohammad Ali Mia, also a former additional inspector general of police.

‘The accused is trying to flee the country and if he succeeds in doing so, the inquiry can be hampered,’ the ACC petition added.

Judge Md Jakir Hossain also ordered the ACC to freeze eight more bank accounts of former director general of Border Guard Bangladesh retired major general Mohammad Shafeenul Islam and his wife Soma Islam.

ACC deputy director Monirul Islam in his petition said that it was conducting an inquiry into the allegations of amassing huge illegal wealth by Shafeenul and his family members by abusing power and corruption.

On January 23, the same court ordered the ACC to freeze 56 bank accounts of Mohammad Shafeenul Islam, his wife Soma Islam and son Samin Islam.

Shafeenul Islam was the 22nd DG of the BGB and served as the border force chief between March 20, 2018 and February 28, 2022.​

 

[Saif]

ACC summons Bashundhara Group chairman, family for questioning

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and his family members for questioning over allegations of land grabbing, embezzlement of loan funds, and money laundering. In a letter sent on Tuesday, they were asked to appear at the ACC Headquarters

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ACC summons Bashundhara Group chairman, family for questioning
bdnews24.com
Published :
May 20, 2025 21:08
Updated :
May 20, 2025 21:08

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and his family members for questioning over allegations of land grabbing, embezzlement of loan funds, and money laundering.

In a letter sent on Tuesday, they were asked to appear at the ACC Headquarters in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha on May 25 and 26.

The agency’s Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain confirmed the development, according to a press release.

The letter says the national anti-graft agency intends to record their statements in connection with an investigation into allegations of “tax evasion, land grabbing, misappropriation of loan funds, transfer and siphoning of money, and money laundering” involving Sobhan, his family members, and associates.

Sobhan, his wife Afroza Begum, their eldest son Sadat Sobhan, and Sadat’s wife Sonia Ferdousi Sobhan have been summoned for May 25.

On May 26, the ACC will quiz Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir, his wife Sabrina Sobhan, Co-Chairman Sadat, Vice-Chairmen Shafiat Sobhan (Sanvir) and Safwan Sobhan along with Safwan’s wife Yasha Sobhan.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024, multiple state agencies launched inquiries into alleged irregularities and corrupt practices by major business beneficiaries of the previous regime.

The National Board of Revenue’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) opened separate investigations into five conglomerates, including Bashundhara, and sent letters to banks and financial institutions asking for transaction details of their owners and relatives.

In October last year, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) froze the bank accounts of Sobhan and his four sons.

That same month, a court imposed a travel ban on eight members of the Sobhan family following a plea by the ACC.

Separately, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) announced in September that it had opened an investigation into Sobhan, his son Anvir, and other affiliates over alleged land grabs worth Tk 1.5 trillion and money laundering.​

 

[Saif]

Court issues travel ban on actress Shaon, 11 others

A Dhaka court on Thursday issued a travel ban on actress Meher Afroz Shaon, former Detective Branch chief Harun-Or-Rashid and 10 others in an attempted murder case. Judge of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah passed the order in the presence of two of the accused, said the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Court issues travel ban on actress Shaon, 11 others
Published :
May 22, 2025 19:51
Updated :
May 22, 2025 19:51

A Dhaka court on Thursday issued a travel ban on actress Meher Afroz Shaon, former Detective Branch chief Harun-Or-Rashid and 10 others in an attempted murder case.

Judge of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah passed the order in the presence of two of the accused, said the court’s bench assistant Parvez Sumon, reports UNB.

The rest of the accused face travel ban include Shaon’s father engineer Md Ali, sister Mahin Afroz Shinjan, former Dhaka Metropolitan’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Nazmul Islam, police inspector Saiful Islam, sub inspectors Shah Alam and Mokhlesur Rahman Milon, four others Sejuti, Sabbir, Subrata Das and Maniul Hossain.

Of them, Saiful and Shah Alam were present at the court.

Earlier on April 22, the court issued arrest warrant for the accused.

On March 13, Shaon’s step-mother Nishi Islam filed the case on charge of beating up and attempting to murder her against the accused with a Dhaka court.

According to the case statement, on February 21 last year accused Md Ali married Nishi Islam concealing his previous marriage, family and alluring her of wealth.

Later, the victim came to know about the previous marriage and one son, three daughters of Md Ali.

On March 4 later year, the accused dragged her out of the house of Ali when she went to it in Gulshan.

On the next day, Shaon and police official Nazmul went to the victim’s house where Shaon beat her up when she refused to sign on a blank paper.

On April 24, police inspector Shah Alam called her to the DB office where Shaon and other accused also beat her.​