The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), a division under Bangladesh Bank, has called for detailed information regarding the bank accounts of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana. The directive also extends to the accounts of the "Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust" and Chowdhury Zafrullah Sarafat. Letters requesting these details were issued on Monday, December 9, to banks and financial institutions across the country.

According to sources within the BFIU, the inquiries are being conducted under the Money Laundering Prevention Act. The letters provided names, national identification numbers, and other key details of the individuals and entities involved. Banks and financial institutions have been instructed to submit relevant documentation, including account opening forms, Know Your Customer (KYC) records, and transaction histories, within five working days of receiving the letters.

The BFIU’s directive specifically seeks to trace the origins of funds deposited into the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust accounts, how these funds were subsequently utilized, and whether any transactions involved cash withdrawals. The trust, located at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in Dhaka, lists Sheikh Hasina as its chairperson, with Sheikh Rehana serving as a trustee. The investigation extends to the accounts of individuals and organizations linked to transactions involving the trust’s funds.

In a related inquiry, BFIU has sought banking details of Chowdhury Zafrullah Sarafat, a commentator from Gopalganj, his brother Chowdhury Habibullah Sarafat, and their mother, Dalia Chowdhury. This follows prior actions against another family member, Chowdhury Nafiz Sarafat, a former chairman of Padma Bank, whose accounts had been frozen earlier. The Sarafat family is known to have close ties with Sheikh Hasina's family.

The request for these financial records comes in the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister on August 5. Her departure marked the end of 16 years of uninterrupted rule by the Awami League. Amid widespread protests and civil unrest, her resignation was followed by her departure from the country. The investigation reflects ongoing scrutiny of financial transactions linked to prominent figures and entities associated with her administration.