CID files money laundering case against Bappi, who 'masterminded' Hadi killing

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against former Dhaka North City Corporation ward councillor and Jubo League leader Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi over allegations of embezzling large sums of money through extortion and fraud in Dhaka's Pallabi area, reports bdnews24.com.
Bappi is also an accused in the murder case of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi.
According to the CID, the case was filed with the Pallabi Police Station on Thursday, accusing Bappi and six or seven unidentified individuals of laundering around Tk 25 million.
Investigators say Bappi, a former councillor of DNCC Ward No. 6 and organising secretary of Dhaka North Jubo League, controlled various businesses in the Pallabi area, including transport operations, temporary roadside markets, garment waste cloth trade, and dish and internet services. The CID said its investigation found discrepancies between Bappi's declared income and the assets he accumulated between 2014 and 2024.
According to the agency, about Tk 15.55 million in assets could not be accounted for based on his declared income.
The CID also alleged that Bappi concealed the actual value of land he purchased in the Uttar Senpara area under Pallabi Police Station.
Although the land deed listed the price at Tk 565,000, investigators say its actual value was about Tk 5.36 million, indicating that the source of nearly Tk 4.8 million was concealed.
Overall, the investigation found evidence that about Tk 25.19 million had been illegally acquired, transferred and converted, the CID said.
The agency also said more than Tk 568.6 million had been transacted through Bappi's various bank accounts, of which about Tk 633,471 has been frozen by court order.
Bappi is currently on the run in connection with the killing of Hadi, police say.
Hadi, who rose to prominence during the July Uprising and the movement to ban the Awami League, had announced plans to contest the 13th parliamentary election as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency.
He came under attack on Dec 12 while campaigning in the Bijoynagar area when gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire at him as he was travelling in a rickshaw. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for surgery and later admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital. Two days later, he was flown to Singapore for further treatment, where he died on Dec 18 last year.
After the shooting, Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho, filed a case over attempted murder. The charge of murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code was later added.
Following an investigation, the Detective Branch of police submitted a chargesheet on Jan 6 against 17 people, including Bappi and former Chhatra League activist Faisal Karim Masud, in the Hadi murder case.