Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) informed the High Court (HC) today that they have already frozen the bank accounts of the former Managing Director of NRB Global Bank and Reliance Finance Proshanta Kumar Halder alias PK Halder and his 83 associates.
BFIU submitted this report before the HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Mohiuddin Shamim on Wednesday.
Earlier on January 3, a Dhaka court placed Abantika Boral, an alleged girlfriend of PK Halder on 3-day remand, in connection with a money laundering case.
Earlier on January 5, the HC imposed a travel ban on PK Halder’s mother Lila Boti Halder and 24 others in connection with a money laundering case.
On January 4, a Dhaka court placed Shankha Byapari, an associate of former managing director of NRB Global Bank and Reliance Finance PK Halder in connection with a case filed over money embezzlement.
Earlier on January 4, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested Shankha Byapari while probing into the case of money laundering by PK Halder.
Later, Deputy Director of ACC Mohammad Salauddin questioned Shankha Byapari at the ACC Head Quarters from 12 to 2pm. Besides, Shankha Byapari was shown arrested following the interrogation.
Earlier on December 30, the HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Ahmed Sohel directed the media outlets to stop publishing statements of fugitives including PK Halder, an accused in a money laundering case. ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan filed a petition seeking directives in this regard on the same day.
ACC’s lawyer also submitted a petition to the HC for issuing a contempt of court rule against Ekattor TV for connecting PK Halder as a guest in a live talk show on December 28. However, the HC bench decided to hold a hearing on the petition later.
Earlier on December 9 of last year, the HC ordered the authorities concerned to provide an update to the court on the steps taken to bring back and arrest PK Halder.
Earlier on December 3, 2020, the HC said that all the corrupt figures and money launderers including Proshanta Kumar Halder must be brought to justice no matter how influential they are.
The HC also asked the ACC to submit the First Information Report (FIR) against PK Halder, the order to seize his property and the arrest warrant issued by the lower court against him.
On November 18, the High Court wanted to know the steps taken to bring International Leasing and Finance Service Limited (ILFSL) Director PK Halder back. The ACC submitted a report in this regard stating that they had contacted the Interpol.
On September 7 of last year, PK Halder filed an appeal seeking permission for his safe return to the country. He is accused of illegally amassing 3,600 crore taka and laundering it abroad while performing his duties as the ILFSL director.
On January 8 of last year, the ACC also filed a case against him for acquiring wealth worth nearly 275 crore taka beyond his known sources of income. In his appeal, Halder said he wanted to come back to Bangladesh to help the authorities to recover the embezzled money of ILFSL.
On January 22 of last year, the High Court ordered the government to confiscate properties of Halder and 19 others including his mother, wife, and brother apart from freezing their bank accounts and revoking their passports.
After hearing the appeals of the seven investors of ILFSL, the court also imposed restrictions so that they cannot go abroad. However, Halder managed to flee to Canada.
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