BFIU seeks bank account details of Sur Chowdhury, Shah Alam

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has sought information about bank accounts of former deputy governor of the Bangladesh Bank SK Sur Chowdhury, incumbent Executive Director Shah Alam and their spouses over their alleged involvement in a bribery scandal.

According to central bank sources, letters have been sent to all the banks asking for information on bank transactions of Sur Chowdhury, his wife Suparna Chowdhury, Shah Alam and his two wives Shaheen Akter Shelley and Nasreen Begum.

The banks will have to give all the information about their accounts including transactions by Tuesday.

The managing director of a private bank confirmed receiving the letter. Wishing not to be named, he told The Business Standard they received the letter a few days ago and that they will provide bank account details of the persons concerned as per the instructions of the central bank.

Earlier, a letter was also issued to the banks by the intelligence cell of the National Board of Revenue, asking for bank account information of Sur Chowdhury and Shah Alam. The duo has also been barred from traveling abroad.

Sur Chowdhury and Shah Alam were accused of bribery in a statement given to the court by Rashidul Islam, former managing director of PK Haldar-controlled International Leasing.

Rashidul Islam said in his deposition that in addition to Sur Chowdhury and Shah Alam, inspection officers were bribed with Tk5-7 lakh to cover up irregularities in the financial institutions.

A five-member inquiry committee headed by Deputy Governor AKM Sajedur Rahman Khan was formed last month to find out whether such allegations were true and to investigate corruption irregularities among central bank officials.

Sur Chowdhury has also served as an adviser to the central bank following the end of his term as deputy governor. However, his term as an adviser was not extended after the first tenure.

On the other hand, Executive Director Shah Alam has been relieved from his duties at the central bank's important department – the Department of Financial Institutions and Markets.

However, the general managers of the central bank have expressed anger saying that this punishment is not enough. In a recent meeting with Deputy Governor Kazi Saidur Rahman, they expressed this resentment.

At the meeting, Saidur Rahman requested the general managers to inform him either formally or informally if they smell any irregularity against any central bank official.