A Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Monday granted bail to Salman F Rahman, former private industry and investment adviser to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in a case alleging assault, death threats and forced resignation of a Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited official. Magistrate Mahbub Alam ordered bail on a Tk500 bond, according to defence lawyer Md Sajibul Islam.

Former BIFFL chief executive SM Formanul Islam filed the case at a metropolitan magistrate’s court on September 15, 2024. The Police Bureau of Investigation investigated the matter and accused six people, including former Bangladesh Bank governor Abdur Rouf Talukder and former National Board of Revenue chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem. The source also says 12 people were named in the case.

The complaint alleges pressure on Formanul Islam to approve loans and investments for entities linked to Salman F Rahman, including about $185 million for the Teesta Solar project and Tk200 crore in zero-coupon bonds. It alleges he was assaulted during BIFFL’s 80th board meeting on July 28, 2019, and forced to sign a resignation letter. Five accused are on bail, while Sajjad Hossain is absconding.