The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury on charges of laundering Tk1,200 crore to Dubai.

An assistant superintendent of police of the CID's Financial Crime Unit filed the case at Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram today (4 September).

According to a press release issued by the CID's media wing, authorities revealed that Saifuzzaman Chowdhury allegedly purchased 226 flats in Dubai between 2016 and 2023, including properties in Al Barsha South 3rd, Barsha South, Jaddaf, Gulf Commercial, Burj Khalifa, Jabal Ali, World Island, Marsa Dubai, and Nad Al Sheba First, valued at 335.657 million dirhams.

Additionally, two flats in the Q Gardens Boutique Residences-Block B project were reportedly registered in the name of his wife Rukhmila Zaman, worth 2.25 million dirhams.

The CID also identified four bank accounts in the names of the couple at Dubai Islami Bank, Janata Bank, and First Abu Dhabi Bank, showing large transactions in dirhams and US dollars, equivalent to around Tk311 crore.

With mountains of wealth abroad, ex-land minister Saifuzzaman's Tk127cr assets under ACC scanner back home

Investigators found evidence of two companies -- Zeba Trading FZE (building and construction materials) and Rapid Raptor FZE (computer software) -- registered in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone under the names of the couple and associates.

The CID said records indicate that Saifuzzaman did not obtain government permission for overseas property purchases, company registrations, or investments.

Through these activities, he allegedly laundered Tk12 billion to Dubai, a violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012 (amended 2015).

The investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest additional suspects and uncover further details, said the release.