A Dhaka court on Monday placed Haridas Chandra Tarani Das, the initiator of a Ram statue construction in Gaibandha’s Palashbari, on a four-day remand in connection with a money laundering case.
Metropolitan Magistrate Ripon Hossain passed the order following an application by the investigation officer. State counsel Kabir Hossain confirmed the development.
Earlier on Sunday, SI Saiful Islam of the CID’s Financial Crime Unit filed the case at Uttara West Police Station, alleging the laundering of Tk9.35 crore.
Following the filing of the case, the Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested Haridas on Sunday night from the Radha Govinda and Kali Temple area in Madhya Ramchandrapur village, under Hossainpur union of Gaibandha’s Palashbari.
During Monday’s proceedings, CID Inspector KM Rakibul Huda sought a seven-day remand for interrogation. While the state argued in favour of the remand, defence lawyer Shyamal Kumar Roy moved a petition seeking bail and the cancellation of the remand plea. After hearing both sides, the court granted four days for questioning.
According to the remand application, preliminary investigations have found evidence of the accused’s involvement in the crime. Analysis of bank accounts, witness testimonies, and Mobile Financial Services (MFS) records suggests that Haridas was involved in an illegal hundi and currency laundering syndicate involving both local and foreign currency.
Investigators said Haridas is a businessman who allegedly used his trade as a front for laundering activities. An analysis of nine bank accounts in his name revealed that massive sums of money, inconsistent with his business, were deposited from various parts of the country at different times.
CID alleged that Haridas is the founder of the discussed Sri Sri Radha Govinda Kali Temple. He along with two or three unidentified accomplices, formed an organised gang to launder Tk9.35 crore. They are accused of transferring and converting these “proceeds of crime” to conceal their illegal nature, source, and ownership.
The investigation officer informed the court that interrogation is essential to identify the sources of these funds, the identities of those who deposited the money, and to bust the entire criminal network. The court was also told that the accused should remain in custody as his release on bail could hamper the ongoing investigation.
