NBR Investigation Uncovers Salman Muqtadir’s Father-in-Law’s Canadian Assets

The National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) and Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit (ITIIU) have uncovered substantial assets, businesses and financial transactions in Canada linked to Sheikh Nur Islam, the father-in-law of content creator Salman Muqtadir.

The findings emerged from an examination of around 163 financial documents covering nearly a decade, according to intelligence sources.

Officials analysed the financial activities of Sheikh Nur Islam and his family members between April 2012 and April 2022. The documents reportedly point to around a dozen irregularities, including at least 17 suspicious transactions involving suspicious transaction reports (STRs), cash transaction reports (CTRs), electronic fund transfers (EFTs) and international money transfers.

The investigation report names Sheikh Nur Islam, his wife Sheela Islam and their two daughters, Disha Islam, who is married to Salman Muqtadir, and Tasnim Islam. According to the documents, all four family members hold Canadian permanent residency or citizenship and are associated with several businesses in Canada.

The documents state that the family members serve as directors of Sheikh Nur Management Incorporated. Sheikh Nur Islam is also identified as a director and president of 1771069 Ontario Incorporated. His occupation is listed as real estate management, while he is also identified as the owner of Zum Zum Pizza.

Sheela Islam is reportedly involved in the management and operations of Domino’s Pizza. Disha Islam, Salman Muqtadir’s wife, is listed as working for Sun Life in Canada as an investment adviser and segregated fund analyst. She is also identified as a student at York University. Tasnim Islam is described as a Canadian citizen and a student at the same university.

The intelligence report estimates the family’s combined financial transactions at around C$5.09 million. Transactions involving British pounds, Singapore dollars, Thai baht and US dollars were also identified.

Investigators also found details of multiple personal, joint and corporate bank accounts held by the family in Canada, along with a mortgage account in Sheela Islam’s name.

Bangladesh tax records also contain details of several businesses and establishments associated with Sheikh Nur Islam. His declared assets were around Tk14 crore in the 2023–24 tax year before rising to approximately Tk104 crore in the following tax year. About Tk95 crore of the latter amount was reportedly shown as remittances.

The tax records list businesses including Barsha Money Changing Centre, Barsha Dairy Farm and Barsha Fisheries. They also show his involvement as a director in several establishments, including Domino’s Pizza, Fu-Wang Bowling, Eastern Hotel and Bar, Radio Masala, Spice Television, Starbucks Café and Tim Hortons.

However, the report said the names of Sheikh Nur Management, 1771069 Ontario Incorporated in Canada and the Dhaka-based Toss Bond warehouse were not found in Bangladesh’s tax records. It also reportedly found no information in the relevant documents regarding Canadian citizenship.

Meanwhile, four warehouses were sealed late Thursday night over allegations that duty-free liquor was being stored at an “unauthorised” warehouse allegedly operating under the patronage of Salman Muqtadir’s father-in-law.

The financial affairs of Sheikh Nur Islam and his family have come under renewed scrutiny following an attack that damaged Salman Muqtadir’s studio at a housing project operated by New Guinea Properties in South Manikdi, Dhaka. However, officials said the ongoing investigation into assets and money transfers in Canada is unrelated to the recent incident.