Staff Correspondent

Monir Hossain, alias Golden Monir, transacted Tk900 crore in the past few years. using 24 bank accounts .

Of the amount, TK518 crore had been deposited to his different accounts while TK412 crore have been withdrawn from those accounts, said sources from law enforcing agencies.

The sources said Monir has amassed wealth and property worth over Tk1,050 crore through illegal activities like gold smuggling and land grabbing during last few years.

Law enforcers also alleged that Monir had laundered huge sum of money through hundi business. But he paid TK25 crore 93 lakh in income tax.

Law enforcers claimed that Monir had good relations with a top BNP leader and a former chairman (2001-2006) of the Public Works Department.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing on Sunday Rab officials said Monir did not become Golden Monir overnight. Using good relations with several politicians, Monir amassed a huge amount of wealth within a very short period of time. "We are trying to find out the identities of his patrons," said a Rab official.

RAB filed three cases against Monir Hossain with Badda Police Station under Special Powers Act, Narcotics Control Act and arms case on Sunday morning, said Parvej Islam, officer-in-charge of the police station.

Earlier on Saturday, Rab arrested him after a 12-hour long drive at his residence at Badda in the capital.

Meanwhile, two Dhaka courts placed Monir on an 18-day remand in the three cases.

Court sources said police had sought 21 days remand in those cases.

According to the case statements, Monir grabbed 39 government plots in DIT project of Merul Badd area through fraudulent activities. Besides, he has 200 plots, a car showroom and a renowned shop name Urmi jewellery in Baitul Mukarram market.

Lieutenant Colonel Ashik Billah, Director (media wing) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Sunday said Monir engaged in smuggling after joining the cosmetic business.

"Afterward, Monir started bringing huge sums of gold. We have recovered around 8 kgs of gold from his house. RAB officials asked him about the gold but he disable to say the source of the gold,``said Ashik Billah.

Besides, RAB will urge different government investigation agencies including NBR and ACC to investigate into his amassed wealth, he added.