Court freezes bank accounts of ex-Minister Abdur Razzak, family

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of nine bank accounts worth Tk 1.39 crore belonging to former Agriculture Minister and senior Awami League leader Md Abdur Razzak, along with those of his wife Shirin Akhter Banu and daughter Farzana Akhter Tandra.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order on Wednesday (May 21) following a petition filed by Abdul Malek, assistant director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the ACC, Razzak holds Tk 42.51 lakh in four bank accounts, while his wife has Tk 66.56 lakh across four accounts. His daughter’s account holds Tk 28 lakh, the ACC’s public relations officer Akhtarul Islam confirmed the figures.

The ACC informed the court that Razzak and his close associates are under investigation for alleged involvement in extortion, tender manipulation, nomination and recruitment trade, illegal land occupation and large-scale money laundering abroad through business entities, including ACI Ltd and manpower exporter Noor Ali. The family is also suspected of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income.

The commission argued that Razzak and his family might attempt to transfer or conceal the movable assets during the ongoing inquiry, which would make recovery difficult later. The freeze aims to preserve assets until the investigation is concluded.