Golden Monir deposited over Tk791cr in 129 bank accounts
CID filed a case on Tuesday under the Money Laundering Prevention Act against 10 people, including Golden Monir, his family members and his associate Riyaz Uddin
Gold trader Md Monir Hossain – also known as Golden Monir – deposited over Tk791 crore in 129 accounts under different banks and amassed a huge amount of wealth illegally, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has found after carrying out a probe.
Based on the investigation, CID Inspector Ibrahim Hossain filed a case on Tuesday under the Money Laundering Prevention Act against 10 people, including Golden Monir, his family members and his associate Awami League leader Riyaz Uddin.
CID financial crime unit's Special Superintendent of Police Humayun Kabir said their investigation took five months to complete and they have traced Golden Monir's illegal wealth.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Monir on 20 November last year, and recovered a foreign-made pistol, bullets, foreign liquor, currencies of ten countries, eight kilograms of gold ornaments and Tk1.9 crore in cash from his Merul Badda residence.
RAB later filed three separate cases against him with the Badda police station.
According to the CID officials, Monir owns around 30 plots, over a dozen buildings and two car showrooms, all bought with his illegally earned money. CID Inspector Ibrahim added that Monir deposited over Tk791 crore in 129 bank accounts during his involvement with gold smuggling.
Only Tk6.18 crore is currently available in those accounts. Monir is now in jail in connection with an arms case filed against the vehicle and gold trader.
CID officials said that they are making a serious effort to track down the other accused Riyaz Uddin.
Monir's wife, son, daughter, sister and brother in law, as well as Sirajganj Upazila chairman and the district Awami League Convener Riyaz Uddin were accused in the case. Besides, Dhaka North City Corporation's Ward Councilor Shafiqul Islam has also been named as an accused.
Anti-Corruption Commission sources had previously mentioned that Monir deposited more than Tk500 crore in various banks.
His immovable assets amount to Tk64 crore, and he has Tk45 crore in movable assets, including gold ornaments and cars. His movable and immovable assets are worth Tk110 crore. Thus far, the ACC has information on over Tk610 crore illegal wealth amassed by Monir.
ACC sources however said by the end of inquiry, they might have information about over Tk1,500 crore in illegal wealth amassed by Monir.
