Writ filed, seeking directions to retrieve siphoned-off money
HC bench of Justices Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Mohi Uddin Shamim might hear the writ
A writ petition has been filed with the High Court (HC) to retrieve the money siphoned off to foreign banks, including the Swiss Bank.
Two Supreme Court lawyers Abdul Qayyum Khan and Subir Nandi Das filed the public interest litigation (PIL) petition at the relevant branch of the HC on Monday, seeking directions to take immediate and appropriate steps to retrieve the money laundered by various Bangladeshi individuals and organisations.
After filing the writ, Subir Nandi Das said the High Court bench of Justices Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Mohi Uddin Shamim might hear the writ.
Deputy Attorney General of the bench AKM Amin Uddin Manik said, "I have received a copy of the writ petition."
In the writ petition, a request was made to issue a rule seeking to know why the extreme failure and inactivity of the defendant (to retrieve the money laundered by various Bangladeshi individuals and organizations to several foreign banks, including the Swiss Bank) should not be declared illegal.
Instructions have been sought from the court to form a special committee to monitor and control money-laundering and terror-financing by Bangladeshi nationals.
The writ also appeals to the court to direct defendants to take action if any information is unearthed about money laundering.
15 individuals have been named as defendants in the writ petition, including Finance Secretary, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, Attorney General, Commerce Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, Law Secretary, Anti-Corruption Commission, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, and Inspector General of Police.
News reports in various local and foreign newspapers were attached with the petition as supporting documents.