Unrest in the garment sector: NBR orders freezing of bank accounts of over a hundred individuals

BanglaPress Desk: The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has ordered the freezing of bank accounts belonging to over a hundred individuals accused of involvement in the ongoing unrest within the garment sector. According to relevant sources, two intelligence units of the NBR have issued this directive to banks and financial institutions across the country.

Simultaneously, approximately 125 business entities have come under the strict scrutiny of the revenue authorities. Investigations are underway to determine whether the financial transactions of these entities were linked to any attempts to destabilize the garment sector. Sources further indicated that the NBR has requested detailed transaction histories for the companies in question from the banks.

Most of the individuals whose bank accounts have been targeted are associated with the ousted Awami League government. This group includes former ministers, former members of parliament, and influential business figures. Additionally, some family members of these individuals are also included on the list.

Notable names on the list include Salman F. Rahman, Abdus Salam Murshedy, Tipu Munshi, Shahriar Alam, Nasrul Hamid, Tajul Islam, Fayzur Rahman of Tusuka Group, Abdus Salam of Well Group, Khosru Chowdhury of Nipa Group, Mosharraf Hossain of Standard Group, and S. M. Mannan Kochi, a former president of the BGMEA.

Some of the individuals named on the list are currently in prison, while others remain in hiding.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior NBR official stated that the revenue authority took this action based on information provided by several government agencies.

"Acting on information from certain government agencies, we have instructed banks to identify and freeze the bank accounts of these individuals," he said.

He added, "We have also requested transaction data for a large number of business entities." It is alleged that these individuals and entities provided funding for activities aimed at destabilizing the garment sector.