Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) chief AFM Shahinul Islam has been sent on compulsory leave after several controversial videos went viral on social media. An investigation committee has been formed into the incident.

It is learnt that a three-member investigation committee has been formed under the leadership of a deputy governor and two executive directors of Bangladesh Bank. The committee will be assisted by officials from the central bank's Information Technology Department and other relevant departments.

Earlier, a section of Bangladesh Bank officials and employees submitted a memorandum to the central bank governor on Tuesday, stating that several objectionable videos of AFM Shahinul Islam circulating on social media have severely tarnished the national and institutional image.

The memorandum further states that BFIU chief Shahinul Islam allowed illegal withdrawal of Tk 190 million from a frozen bank account of Khandaker Enayet Ullah, the owner of the controversial Ena Paribahan. Such behavior calls into question the position of the head of a sensitive institution like BFIU.

However, on Monday, central bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur said that Bangladesh Bank has already started an investigation into the controversial video circulating online involving the BFIU chief.

After the fall of the Awami League government, the then head of the BFIU, Md. Masud Biswas, was forced to resign on August 8 last year in the face of protests by central bank officials. After that, after a long vacancy, Shahinul Islam was appointed in January this year. Shahinul's name was not on the list of three names recommended by the search committee formed under the leadership of the governor. Still, he was appointed to the post.