21 More Journalists’ Bank Accounts Under Scrutiny by BFIU

Staff Correspondent

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has sought the bank account details of 21 additional journalists as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption. Last week, BFIU requested similar details for 12 journalists.

Since the interim government took office on August 8, BFIU has targeted several professionals for financial scrutiny, freezing or investigating accounts based on allegations of misconduct.

On Sunday, January 5, BFIU issued a directive to banks to provide account information, including forms, Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, and transaction records, for the following journalists and their spouses and children:

• Saiful Alam, editor of Jugantor
• Pranab Saha, news chief at DBC News
• Hasan Zahid Tushar, former deputy press secretary to the ex-prime minister
• M. Shamsur Rahman, editor and CEO of Independent TV
• Mamun Abdullah, news chief at Independent TV
• Animesh Kar, special correspondent at Independent TV
• Md. Ruhul Amin Russell, managing editor of Bangladesh Pratidin
• Mahmud Hasan, deputy editor of Bangladesh Pratidin
• Zafar Ahmed, senior reporter at Khola Kagoj
• MG Kibria Chowdhury, editor of Jatiyo Orthoneeti
• Deepak Chowdhury, chief reporter of Amader Shomoy and Amader Orthoneeti
• Akhil Kumar Poddar, head of input at Ekushey TV
• Jhumur Bari, journalist at Ekattor TV
• Ziadur Rahman, editor of Ekushey Sangbad
• Angur Nahar Monty, special correspondent at Kalbela
• Nasir Uddin Sathi, chairman of My TV
• Mahmud Al Faisal, head of news at SA TV
• Rashed Kanchan, executive director of SA TV
• Shahnaz Siddiqui, senior reporter at BSS
• Rashed Chowdhury, journalist at Ekushey TV
• Rama Prasad, journalist at Samakal

The BFIU also mentioned a previous request, issued on December 30, for the bank details of 12 journalists, including former Managing Director of the Journalist Welfare Trust Subhash Chandra Badal, Dhaka Times editor Arifur Rahman Dolon, and others.

Some of the individuals targeted in the August 5 directive have since moved to different positions or organizations.

Background

The BFIU is actively examining accounts to determine compliance and uncover any financial misconduct. The requested details include account opening forms, transaction summaries, and related documents.

This ongoing financial probe has sparked widespread discussions in media and political circles regarding press freedom and transparency.