The head of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) AFM Shahinul Islam has been sent on compulsory leave, following the circulation of his multiple objectionable videos on social media.
Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Ahsan H Mansur confirmed this information to the media on Tuesday (August 19).
He said, “The BFIU chief will be on leave until the investigation is completed. Further action will be taken after receiving the investigation report.”
On Monday, several objectionable videos of Shahinul Islam went viral on social media. Although Shahinul Islam claimed it was fake, the central bank initially found the video to be accurate after checking the facts. Besides, Shahinul did not come to the office on Tuesday. At such a time, he was sent on compulsory leave.
Meanwhile, a three-member committee has been formed, with a deputy governor and two executive directors of Bangladesh Bank. Officials from the central bank’s Information and Communication Technology Department and other relevant departments will assist the committee.
On Tuesday (August 19), a group of Bangladesh Bank officials requested the governor to send Shahinul Islam on compulsory leave. The video scandal has come to light at a time when he allowed transport businessman Khandaker Enayet Ullah, owner of Ena Paribahan, to withdraw Tk 19 crore from his account after it was frozen.
The ACC is also investigating whether there is any corruption in this case. A high-level investigation team of Bangladesh Bank will also look into these allegations.
Meanwhile, after the fall of the Awami League government, the then head of the BFIU, Md Masud Biswas, was forced to resign on August 8 last year in the face of protests by central bank officials.
According to the sources, Shahinul Islam was appointed in January this year after a long vacancy. Shahinul’s name was not on the list of three names recommended by the search committee formed under the governor’s leadership. Later, a notification was issued by the ministry appointing Shahinul as the head of the BIFU.