Published: 12:36 AM, 13 May 2026
Lawyers seek action against financial anarchy
The lawyers' organization "Voice of Lawyers Bangladesh" has submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Bangladesh Bank demanding investigation and justice for corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering in the country's banking sector. The leaders of the organization claimed that, particularly in Islami Bank and several other banks, organized corruption and money laundering have occurred, causing severe suffering for ordinary depositors.
At a statement held in front of Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday, the organization's coordinator and Supreme Court lawyer, Advocate Mohammad Delwar Hossain, said that the country's banking sector is currently in an extremely critical condition. Customers of various banks are unable to withdraw their deposits. Some can withdraw 2,000 taka, others 5,000 taka, while many banks are unable to give their customers any money at all.
He said, "A cancer patient wanted to go to India for treatment but could not withdraw 15 million taka from their bank account. The bank told them they could only take 5,000 taka. This is extremely unfortunate."
He further stated that although they applied on April 28 to meet the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, they were unable to secure a meeting. However, their memorandum has been delivered to the Governor's office.
The organization's leaders alleged that during the previous government, a particular group was illegally appointed in Islami Bank and other banks to form a syndicate. This syndicate embezzled and laundered bank money abroad. They demanded that those involved be brought under the law immediately.
Advocate Ashrafuzzaman, the chief coordinator of Voice of Lawyers Bangladesh, said that on January 5, 2017, a particular group, with government influence and support from intelligence agencies, took control of the board of directors of Islami Bank. Subsequently, a massive amount of money was laundered abroad.
He claimed, "Around 2.4 trillion taka has been laundered to nine countries. That money must be recovered and depositors reimbursed."
He also stated that thousands of officials and employees have been illegally appointed in Islami Bank and other banks. They demanded the cancellation of these appointments and action against those involved.
The organization's leaders also criticized the recently passed Bank Regulation Act, alleging that the law provides an opportunity to reinstate those involved in past irregularities and corruption in the banking sector. They demanded the repeal of controversial sections of the law.
During the event, the speakers said that a domestic and international group is actively working to discredit and make the Islamic banking system ineffective. They want the Islamic banking sector to return to normal, so depositors can deposit and withdraw money without hindrance and investment activities can proceed normally.
The memorandum demanded justice for bank embezzlement, recovery of laundered money, cancellation of illegal appointments, and effective measures to stabilize the banking sector.
