BFIU chief defies forced leave order, attends office amid probe
In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) Director AFM Shahinul Islam reported to his office on Wednesday, openly defying a directive to go on mandatory leave as an investigation unfolds into a viral video allegedly showing him in a compromising situation.
When questioned by reporters, Shahinul Islam dismissed the leave order, saying, "What compulsory leave? I am doing office."
His appearance at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters sparked confusion and tension within the central bank, challenging the authority of the institution’s leadership.
Leave order stands, says deputy governor
Despite Shahinul’s defiance, Deputy Governor Zakir Hossain Chowdhury confirmed that the forced leave order, issued by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur on Tuesday, remains in full effect.
"The directive from the governor is clear – the BFIU chief is on mandatory leave pending investigation," Chowdhury said.
"His appointment falls under the Financial Institutions Division, so the final decision on his position will be made by them. But until then, the leave stands," added Chowdhury.
Viral video triggers probe
The controversy erupted on Monday when a sexually explicit video involving a man resembling Shahinul Islam began circulating widely on social media. In the clip, the individual appears to send inappropriate messages to a woman.
Shahinul has since claimed the video is fake, created using deepfake tools to tarnish his reputation. However, initial findings from the central bank’s internal fact-checking and investigation team suggest the video is authentic and linked to the BFIU chief.
Internal pressure mounts
On Tuesday, a group of senior Bangladesh Bank officials submitted a formal memorandum to Governor Mansur, urging immediate action and demanding that Shahinul Islam be placed on forced leave, citing concerns over institutional integrity and public trust.
Governor Mansur acted swiftly, ordering the leave pending a full probe into the matter.
Leadership in crisis
Shahinul Islam’s refusal to comply with the directive raises serious questions about discipline, accountability, and governance within one of the country’s key financial watchdog institutions.
The BFIU plays a critical role in monitoring money laundering, terrorist financing, and financial crimes. The current scandal has cast a shadow over its credibility at a time when Bangladesh is under global scrutiny for compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) standards.