The Anti-Corruption Commission has sought account statements and transaction details of the eight BNP leaders from banks.

The ACC recently launched an enquiry into eight BNP leaders in connection with their involvement in money laundering and amassing wealth illegally.

The leaders are: BNP standing committee members Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury; vice chairmen Abdul Awal Mintoo and Morshed Khan; Executive Committee Member Tabith Awal, and Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel.

Morshed Khan's son Foysal Morshed is also being investigated.

Wishing to be unnamed, an official said they sent letters to seven private banks for transaction details of their accounts.

The BNP leaders had termed the ACC's move “politically motivated”.

Meanwhile, the High Court has cleared the way for a lower court to continue with the trial proceedings against former BNP minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury in a corruption case filed during the military-backed caretaker regime.

The HC yesterday summarily rejected a review petition filed by Altaf challenging the trial court order that framed charges against him last year.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Shahidul Karim said there were specific allegations against the accused in this case and it should be examined by the trial court.    

The ACC filed the case on December 18, 2007, with Ramna Police Station against Altaf for concealing information or giving false information about movable wealth worth Tk 59 lakh and amassing wealth worth Tk 2.56 crore beyond known sources of income.