Haridas sent to jail after remand in money laundering case

A Dhaka court on Thursday sent Haridas Chandra Tarani Das, who came into the spotlight for taking an initiative to build a Ram idol in Gaibandha, to jail after the completion of his four-day remand in a money laundering case.

Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam passed the order following a hearing.

Court sources said CID Inspector KM Rakibul Huda, the investigating officer of the case, sought an order to keep Haridas in jail until the investigation is completed.

Defence lawyer Shyamal Kumar Roy sought bail for Haridas, but the court rejected the plea and ordered that he be sent to jail.

According to the detention plea, Haridas was questioned extensively during remand and provided important information related to the investigation. His statements are now being verified, it said.

A special team of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Haridas on 12 July and later showed him arrested in a money laundering case filed with Uttara West Police Station. The court granted the CID four days’ remand on 13 July.

According to the case statement, Haridas allegedly carried out hundi operations and money laundering activities. Investigators found records showing around Tk9 crore was deposited into five bank accounts and four Mobile Financial Service (MFS) accounts in his name from suspicious sources.

Earlier this year, Haridas drew attention after announcing plans to build an 81-foot Ram idol, which he claimed would be the largest in Asia. The project was later suspended amid tensions. He had earlier founded the Sri Sri Radha Gobinda Kali Temple in Palashbari, Gaibandha.