Supreme Court Judgments, Summarised

by Barrister Tahmidur Rahman | Nov 3, 2026

Summary

Investors who had deposited money with Unipay 2U obtained an ex parte money decree in Money Suit No. 06 of 2012 and, in execution, an order directing BRAC Bank to issue a pay order from the judgment debtors' account. The bank sought reconsideration, stating that the account had been frozen with the permission of the Special Judge on the application of the Anti-Corruption Commission. The executing court rejected the decree holders' application, but the High Court Division in Civil Revision No. 914 of 2015 made the Rule absolute. The Commission appealed. The Appellate Division noted that the accounts had been frozen and later confiscated in a money laundering case, with criminal appeals pending. It held that the High Court Division, knowing of the freezing and without the Commission being a party, acted arbitrarily. Claimants could seek redress under sections 15 to 19 of the Money Laundering Protirodh Ain, 2012. The Commission was directed to publish notice of the confiscated property, and the High Court order was set aside.

Issues

  1. Q1

    Whether the High Court Division could direct a judgment debtor bank to pay decretal money out of accounts frozen at the instance of the Anti-Corruption Commission and later confiscated in a money laundering case.

  2. Q2

    What remedy is available to persons claiming money in accounts frozen or confiscated under the Money Laundering Protirodh Ain, 2012.

Key points

  • Having noticed that the judgment debtors' accounts were frozen at the instance of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the High Court Division ought not to have passed any order regarding those accounts, and its order was arbitrary and unsustainable.
  • The High Court Division failed to notice that the Anti-Corruption Commission was not a party and had no chance to place its case.
  • Sections 15 to 19 of the Money Laundering Protirodh Ain, 2012 provide for release of frozen or attached property, confiscation, return of confiscated property and appeals by aggrieved persons.
  • Anyone with a claim or interest in money or property attached, frozen or confiscated by the court concerned can move the competent court, here the High Court Division, for redress.
  • The Anti-Corruption Commission, having not published the newspaper notice required by law, was directed to publish notice of the confiscated property within 30 days, leaving the decree holders and other claimants at liberty to approach the High Court Division.

In view of the above provisions of law if anyone has claim or interest in the money/property attached/frozen or confiscated by the Court concerned, they can move before the competent Court for their redress.

From the judgment, Justice M. Enayetur Rahim
Law considered

Money Laundering Protirodh Ain, 2012, sections 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19

The judgment

In the court’s own words.

Civil Appeal 179/2018, as published by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. 12 pages, with paragraph numbers for citing.

PDF
Call the Dhaka office+880 1708 000660WhatsApp · message usMessage our team
Message TRW on WhatsApp