Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today ordered the freezing of 18 bank accounts belonging to journalists Shyamal Dutta and his wife Sanchita Dutta, and 11 accounts held by Mozammel Haque Babu, his wife Aparajita Haque, and their interest-linked institutions. 
 
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the orders following two separate applications filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
 
In one petition against Shyamal Dutta and his wife, the ACC said information had been obtained regarding the acquisition of several movable assets in the names of Shyamal and Sanchita, their daughter, and interest-linked individuals or institutions.
 
During the investigation, no clear or legitimate source of income was found to justify the acquisition of these assets. It was also revealed that attempts were made to conceal their actual sources through various transfer and relocation processes, which appeared to constitute money laundering offences.
 
The petition further said there is a possibility that the assets acquired in the names of Shyamal Dutta or his interest-linked individuals or institutions may be transferred, relocated, documented, or otherwise disposed of to change ownership. Therefore, freezing the movable assets is necessary in the interest of a proper investigation.
 
Similarly, in its plea against Mozammel Haque Babu and his wife, the anti-graft body stated that information had been received regarding the acquisition of several movable assets in their names, as well as those of their daughter and interest-linked institutions.

The investigation found no clear source supporting the acquisition of these assets, while efforts were made to obscure their true origins through various transfer methods, indicating money laundering-related offences.
 
The petition also noted that there is a likelihood that assets acquired in the names of Mozammel Haque Babu or his interest-linked institutions could be transferred or ownership altered through documentation or other means. As such, freezing the movable assets is deemed essential for a fair investigation.