Court freezes bank accounts of journalists Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of multiple bank accounts linked to journalist Shyamal Dutta and Ekattor Television CEO Mozammel Haque Babu amid ongoing Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigations into alleged money laundering.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez issued the orders following two separate petitions filed by the ACC on Monday.

The court ordered the freezing of 18 bank accounts held in the names of Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta and his wife, Sanchita Dutta.

It also ordered the freezing of 11 bank accounts belonging to Mozammel Haque Babu, his wife Aparajita Haque and entities linked to their interests.

According to the ACC petitions, investigators found evidence that Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Haque Babu, their family members and related entities had acquired movable assets for which no clear or legitimate sources of income could be identified.

The ACC alleged that attempts were made to conceal the origins of the assets through transfers and ownership changes, indicating potential money-laundering offences.

The commission further stated that there is a risk of the assets being transferred or ownership altered during the investigation, making the freezing of the accounts necessary to ensure a fair and effective probe.

MAL/NSA