Intel impounds disks, dockets

The Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) on Monday confiscated computer hard disks, invoices and registers from the President Resort as part of an investigation into tax evasion involving former DB chief Harun-Or-Rashid.
During a visit to Mithamoin in Kishoreganj, the CIC team seized four hard disks, 40 invoice registers and 16 manual registers from the Harun-owned four-star resort, according to officials.
The investigation aims to determine whether there has been any concealment of investments in the tax records of Harun and his family members.
The President Resort and Agro Limited has directors Shirin Akter and Jahura Khatun, who are Harun's wife and mother respectively, while ABM Shahriar, his brother-in-law, serves as the managing director.
Alauddin Al Sohel is identified as a nominal director.
The ongoing investigation by the CIC, a wing of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), focuses on tax evasion and potential financial misconduct by Harun and his associates Md Somraz Mia, his accountant, and Minara Begum.
The scope for the investigation includes evaluating movable and immovable properties, investments in various organisations and potential money-laundering activities.
An eight-member team, led by CIC director Chad Sultana Chowdhurani, has also met the victims who alleged that their land was illegally acquired by Harun.
The resort, which opened on 03 September 2021 in Kishoreganj, boasts luxurious facilities and is built on 40 acres of "grabbed" land.
CIC director general Ahsan Habib said the physical inspections of locations linked to suspected investments were an essential part of the government's investigation process.
A senior CIC official confirmed that Harun's wife and mother served as directors of the resort, while his brother-in-law was the managing director.
The investigation team was accompanied by officials from public works department, land administration and local authorities.
In mid-August, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) instructed banks to freeze the accounts of Harun and his spouse under the Anti-Money Laundering Act for one month.
Subsequently, in October, the NBR ordered all banks and non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) to freeze accounts belonging to the ex-Detective Branch chief and his family members.

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