Dubai flat ownership raises eyebrows over ex-BB governor Ahsan H Mansur

Ownership of a Tk45 crore luxury flat in Dubai has raised serious public questions about former Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur.

In statements to the media, he claimed that the property belongs to his daughter, purchased in 2023, and that his name appeared only as “father.” However, official documents from the Dubai Land Department, flight records, and registration data suggest a different picture.

According to the Dubai Land Department’s official title deed, the flat carries registration number 341480/2024 and was formally purchased and registered on 24 December 2024 – not in 2023 as claimed.

The flat is located in the Al Jaddaf area of Dubai at Palazzo Versace, an internationally recognised luxury residential project.

The title deed lists two owners: Ahsan Habib Mansur and his daughter Mehrin Sarah Mansur. There is no mention of “guardian of,” “on behalf of daughter,” or similar terms. Under Dubai Land Department regulations, if someone is listed as a guardian or representative rather than the actual owner, this is explicitly stated in the deed. A mere mention of a name constitutes legal ownership. Consequently, the claim that his name appears only as “father” is factually incorrect.

Official travel records indicate that Governor Mansur was scheduled to travel to Dubai on 18 December 2024 but actually left on 20 December. His itinerary shows he was in Djibouti on 22 December and arrived in Dubai at 2:55am on 23 December. On 24 December, the date the flat was registered, he was present in Dubai throughout the day.

Dubai Land Department regulations generally require the owner’s physical presence and signature for property registration. Although a Power of Attorney or digital smart service can be used as an alternative, the relevant title deed contains no such Power of Attorney and lists no representative. It does, however, include an “off proof signature,” indicating the owner’s direct presence and personal signature.

During the same period, separate official orders were issued for accompanying staff and meetings with Mashreq Bank. Governor Mansur and senior officials visited Dubai on 12 May 2025 for a strategic meeting with Mashreq Bank, which held a mortgage on the flat.

The absence of documented agendas or decisions has raised questions over whether the meeting was held under situational pressure rather than routine diplomacy or finance.

The Human Resources Department of Bangladesh Bank described it as a “strategic” engagement. Yet, when the central bank governor faces public pressure over personal assets and meets a commercial bank abroad, concerns of potential conflict of interest remain.

Governor Mansur’s public statements asserting no personal connection with the flat directly conflict with official registration documents and travel records. These inconsistencies raise serious questions about transparency, accountability, and possible misuse of power, warranting an independent and impartial investigation.

Notably, the government on Wednesday (25 Feb) appointed Md Mostaqur Rahman as the new Governor of Bangladesh Bank, cancelling the remaining tenure of Dr Ahsan H Mansur with immediate effect.