Court orders freeze on shares, bank accounts of Bashundhara Group chairman, family

The anti-graft agency is investigating charges including money laundering, revenue evasion, and land occupation against them

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 70 bank accounts and shares belonging to Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and his family members.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order on Wednesday after hearing an appeal by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson Akhtarul Islam.

He said the ACC brought charges of money laundering, revenue evasion, land occupation, loan fraud, embezzlement and acquisition of illicit wealth and sought the freezing of bank accounts. The anti-graft watchdog is investigating these charges.

An order has been issued to freeze 70 bank accounts containing Tk 198.1 million and 758.6 million shares worth $10,538 and Tk 14.58 billion belonging to Sobhan and seven members of his family.

The others accused are: his son Sayem Sobhan Anvir, the managing director of Bashundhara Group, wife Sabrina Sobhan, Co-chairman Sadat Sobhan and his wife Sonia Ferdousi Sobhan, Vice-chairman Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir, Vice-chairman Safwan Sobhan and his wife Yeasha Sobhan.

The investigation team’s member ACC Assistant Director Sajid-ur-Rahman lodged the complaint seeking the freezing of bank accounts and shares.