Former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury (Javed). File Photo

DHAKA, Sept 4, 2025 (BSS) – The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury on charges of siphoning off Tk 1200 crore to Dubai. 
 
Special Police Super of CID (media) Dhaka, Jashim Uddin Khan today confirmed BSS of filing the case with a police station of Chattogram. 
 
He said Saifuzzaman was accused of purchasing 226 flats in Dubai alongside investing huge amount of money in business there.
 
A review of the information obtained during the investigation shows that Saifuzzaman Chowdhury has purchased 226 flats in various locations in the United Arab Emirates, including Al Barsha South 3rd, Barsha South, Barsha South 4, Thaniya 5th, Jaddaf, Haiba 6th, Gulf Commercial, Khairan, Yalayes 2, Burj Khalifa, Jabal Ali, World Island, Zabeel 2nd, Marsa Dubai, Me'aisem The First, Nad Al Sheba First, Wadi Al Safa 3, from 2016 to 2023, with a value of 33 crore 56 lakh 57 thousand 168 dirhams, according to a CID press release issued tonight. 
 
In addition, information is available about 02 (two) properties in the name of his wife Rukmila Zaman ,46, in the Al Barsha South 3rd area of Dubai, with a value of 2 lakh 50 thousand 369 dirhams. 
 
In addition, information on a total of 4 bank accounts including 2 accounts in Dubai Islami Bank, Janata Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank in the name of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury (56) and his interested parties is available. Information on transactions of various amounts of dirham and US dollar is available in these bank accounts, which is approximately Taka 311 crore 26 lakh 6 thousand 795 in Bangladeshi currency, according to the exchange rate of the currency at that time. 
 
Information on the establishment, investment and operation of 2 business entities named Zeba Trading FZE for the building and construction material product business and Rapid Raptor FZE for the computer software business with the permission of the Ras AL Khaimah Economic Zone of the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) is available.
 
A review of the records obtained from Bangladesh Bank reveals that no permission was given by the government in favor of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury (Javed) for the purpose of registering a company, investing and acquiring property abroad. In this way, he laundered about Taka 1200 crore to the United Arab Emirates by purchasing property abroad, registering a company and depositing money in a bank account; which is a punishable offense under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2012 (Amendment 2015).
 
After investigation of this money laundering complaint, the CID has registered a regular case (Case No. 10, Dated 04/09/2025, Section 4(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012 (Amended 2015)) against (1) Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, 56, Father- Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury, Mother- Nur Nahar Zaman and (2) Rukmila Zaman, 46, Father- Abdul Razzak, Mother- Sadeka Chowdhury, Husband- Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, both of whom are currently residing at Volkart House, 07, Sarson Road, Post Office- Dampara, Thana- Kotwali, District- CMP, Chittagong, and Permanent Sang- Hailadhar, Ward 07, Thana- Anwara, District- Chittagong, along with 5-7 unidentified persons.
 
The CID's investigation and operations are continuing to uncover complete information about the crime, identify and arrest unknown members, and more.
 
Saifuzzaman Chowdhury served as the State Minister and Minister of the Land Ministry successively since January 12, 2014. 
 
He was also the Chairman of the Executive Committee of United Commercial Bank.
 
He also served as the Chairman of the industrial organization Aramit Group. 
 
Saifuzzaman Chowdhury also served as the three time President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry.