Court orders freeze on 52 bank accounts of NASSA Group Chairman Nazrul, family

ACC suspects large-scale financial irregularities and claims attempts to transfer funds elsewhere

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 52 bank accounts belonging to former EXIM Bank chairman and NASSA Group chief Nazrul Islam Mazumder, his wife Nasrin Islam, daughter Anika Islam, son Walid Ibne Islam, and their associated institutions.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib delivered the verdict on Monday following a plea filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, Deputy Director Md Salahuddin, the agency’s Assistant Director Aminul Islam confirmed.

The application alleges that substantial financial transactions have taken place in their bank accounts since their opening, which are deemed unusual and suspicious.

It claims that efforts were made to transfer these funds elsewhere, necessitating their freezing.

The national anti-graft agency is investigating allegations of “money laundering” and “illicit wealth” acquisition against Nazrul and others.

On Jan 1, the court imposed a travel ban on the Bangladesh Association of Banks, or BAB, former chairman Nazrul and his family members.

After the Awami League government was toppled on Aug 5, 2024 - by a mass uprising, some entrepreneurs in the banking sector, including Awami League leaders, went into hiding.

Nazrul Islam Majumder has also not been seen in public since then. Rumours circulated that he had gone abroad.

However, he was arrested in Dhaka’s Gulshan on Oct 1, 2024. Police also questioned him in connection with the murder of Emon Hossain Gazi during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, under a case filed at Jatrabari Police Station.