The head of Bangladesh’s Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), AFM Shahinul Islam, was sent to mandatory leave by Bangladesh Bank following the circulation of several explicit videos on social media.
The move was confirmed on Tuesday (August 20) by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, who said Shahinul Islam would remain on leave until the conclusion of an internal investigation.
“He will stay on leave until the probe is complete. Further action will be taken once we receive the investigation report,” the governor told reporters.
The scandal erupted on Monday when multiple videos of Shahinul Islam were widely shared online. Although he claimed the footage was fabricated, a preliminary fact-check by the central bank reportedly confirmed the material was authentic. He was absent from work the following day, after which the decision on leave was enforced.
Investigation committee formed
Bangladesh Bank has established a three-member inquiry committee, led by a deputy governor and two executive directors, to investigate the matter. The committee will be supported by officials from the central bank’s information technology division and other relevant departments.
Sources indicated that a group of Bangladesh Bank officials had requested the governor to place Shahinul Islam on leave, which was approved on Monday.
Financial Allegations
The controversy comes at a time when Shahinul Islam is also under scrutiny over financial irregularities involving Ena Transport owner Khandaker Enayet Ullah.
In November, the BFIU froze Tk 120 crore across 50 accounts linked to Ullah and his family. However, in April, four accounts at Bank Al-Falah were not re-frozen, enabling withdrawals of nearly Tk 19 crore.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is currently investigating whether undue benefit was provided in exchange for lifting the freeze.
On 27 May, a Dhaka special judge ordered the freezing of Tk 120 crore at the ACC’s request. Investigators later discovered that the accounts held only Tk 101 crore, prompting suspicions that the remainder had been released improperly.
Shahinul Islam has denied wrongdoing, stating the withdrawals were permitted following applications from Ena Transport and were consistent with exemptions granted to other businesses for operational purposes.
“No unethical transaction took place,” he said. On the videos, he insisted: “These are fake, spread by people who want to defame me.”
Wider Repercussions
According to reports, the videos had been circulating via WhatsApp and Messenger since last Thursday before going viral on social media on Monday, sparking widespread criticism and prompting intelligence agencies to launch their own inquiries.
Shahinul Islam was appointed as BFIU chief in January this year after the post had been vacant for several months. His predecessor, Md Masud Biswas, resigned in August 2023 amid pressure from central bank staff following the fall of the Awami League government.
Although Shahinul’s name was not included on the shortlist recommended by the governor-led search committee, the Ministry of Finance ultimately issued the appointment order. He continued in the role pending official confirmation, but will now remain on leave until the investigation is concluded.
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