A legal notice has been issued against Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) Chairman Md. Shawkat Ali Chowdhury, accusing him of laundering 25 million US dollars. The notice, sent by Supreme Court lawyer A.H.M. Rezwanul Saeed, was addressed to eight senior government officials, including the Bangladesh Bank governor, the National Board of Revenue chairman, and the head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). It questions why no legal action was taken despite the suspicious transaction being flagged and demands action within seven days.

According to the notice, UK authorities discovered the funds in Shawkat Ali Chowdhury’s name during an investigation into former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury’s assets. The money was later transferred to Dubai after BFIU allegedly failed to act within the required time. The notice also claims that Shawkat Ali Chowdhury attempted to legitimize the funds by declaring large tax payments, though such legalization is not permitted under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.

The notice further urges that all intelligence reports and documents related to the 25 million dollars be provided to the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department, and calls for a review of Chowdhury’s eligibility to remain as EBL chairman.