Staff Correspondent

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has directed the banks and capital markets to suspend eight bank accounts and beneficiary owner's accounts of former member of National Board of Revenue (NBR) and his family members.

The BFIU on Tuesday directed to freeze eight bank accounts of Matiur and his family members for the next 30 days.

It sent a letter in this regard to the banks, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and mobile financial services. The directive has been given as per the authority given to the BFIU under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.

The BFIU has directed to suspend the eight bank and BO accounts of Md Matiur Rahman, his first wife Laila Kaniz, first wife's daughter Farzana Rahman Ipshita and son Ahmed Toufiqur Rahman Arnab, second wife Shammi Akter Shibly, second wife's daughter Iftima Rahman Madhuri, second wife's son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat and Irfanur Rahman Irfan.

Besides, the banks have been asked to provide information about these bank accounts opening forms, KYCs, transaction statements etc within the next five working days.

In the wake of goat scandal, Matiur Rahman, president of the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) Customs, Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal, was withdrawn and attached to the Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the Finance Ministry.

Besides, Matiur Rahman was removed from the board of directors of Sonali Bank, a day after his transfer from the NBR.

Meanwhile, the BSEC has directed the Central Depository Bangladesh Limited to freeze the BO accounts of Matiur and his family members.

The directive came upon requests from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) as the agency has been investigating the corruption allegations against Matiur Rahman.

Moreover, a Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Matiur Rahman, his first wife, and his son following the controversy surrounding their wealth.

His first wife is Laila Kaniz Lucky, the upazila parishad chairman of Narsingdi's Raipura, and his son is Ahmed Taufiqur Rahman Arnab.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammad As-Shams Jaglul Hossain passed the order on Monday following a petition filed by the ACC.

Investigation Officer Anwar Hossain filed the petition on behalf of the ACC.