Serious questions have resurfaced over the source of imported alcohol, licensing arrangements, customs documentation and tax compliance at Irish Pub and Restaurant, an establishment linked to Sheikh Nur Islam, the father-in-law of content creator Salman Muqtadir. Allegations surrounding the business first came to prominence following a customs intelligence operation in Dhaka in 2021. A fresh National Board of Revenue (NBR) operation at four establishments, including another business associated with Nur Islam, has now brought the matter back into focus.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, Irish Pub was found with substantial quantities of imported liquor, including Imperial whisky from Scotland and London and several premium vodka brands, during a raid in December 2021. Customs intelligence officials said the establishment could not produce valid import documents for the alcohol.

Employees of the pub later claimed that some of the liquor had been purchased from the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. However, according to the officials involved in the operation, the establishment failed to provide supporting documents to substantiate that claim.

The investigation also reportedly uncovered a discrepancy involving the dates of the documents. Officials said Irish Pub presented an invoice or purchase record from 2016 while evidence suggested that liquor produced in 2019 and 2020 had subsequently been sold. The discrepancy raised questions over whether the documents corresponded to the products actually held and sold by the establishment.

Following the raid, customs intelligence officials filed a criminal case with Kadamtali Police Station over allegations of illegally imported alcohol. The case was subsequently transferred first to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) and later to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), according to sources.

A customs official involved in the operation alleged that the investigators faced repeated difficulties after the raid and claimed that the former owners of Irish Pub attempted to influence the investigation. The official also said the establishment had no bills of entry to support the sale of imported liquor.

The official further alleged that the import licence cited by the owners was actually intended for agricultural machinery. Such a licence, the official said, could not legally be used to import alcohol.

The customs operation also reportedly uncovered 57 walkie-talkies that did not have approval from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

Ownership and licensing questions

Sources said Nur Islam had served as managing director of Irish Pub and Restaurant, while his wife, Shila Islam, was its chairperson. Their family members were also associated with the company as shareholders and directors.

According to the information provided by sources, Nur Islam held 4,000 shares, Shila Islam 3,000, while Disha Islam and Tasnim Islam held 1,500 shares each. Together, members of the Nur Islam family held 10,000 shares in the company.

The shares were later transferred to Delwar Hossain and Selimuzzaman, according to the sources. Nur Islam, however, told Kalbela that he had sold Irish Pub and Bar a long time ago and was no longer associated with the business.

Questions have also been raised about the establishment’s licensing arrangements. Sources alleged that the business initially operated under a restaurant licence before subsequently functioning as a bar. They also said a warehouse was established near the restaurant on the bank of the Buriganga River, close to the Pangaon Customs House.

Several customs officials told Kalbela that the location could potentially provide an opportunity for moving imported goods because of the relatively narrow stretch of the river around Pangaon. When vessels berth at the customs jetty, parts of the vessels can come relatively close to the opposite bank, they said.

The officials, however, could not provide documentary evidence directly linking Irish Pub or Nur Islam to the alleged movement of illicit alcohol through that route. The absence of clear import records for large quantities of foreign liquor nevertheless raised questions about how such stock had entered the business.

Sources also said Nur Islam had previously obtained a liquor-bar licence under the name Dominus Limited, a name resembling the international pizza brand Domino’s. They alleged that the licensing arrangements later changed in ways that allowed the restaurant operation to function as a bar.

The Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control, Mohammad Hasan Maruf, could not be reached despite several attempts to obtain his comments.

Officials promise scrutiny

Mohammad Shafiur Rahman, Director General of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, acknowledged that a raid had been conducted at Irish Pub. He said that if any irregularities had occurred at the time, the matter would be examined and that there would be no concession in cases involving wrongdoing.

The customs official who participated in the 2021 operation also alleged that investigators had found information concerning bank transactions involving members of Nur Islam’s family in Canada during the subsequent investigation. Despite this, the official claimed, a report was eventually submitted in Nur Islam’s favour.

The official suggested that this prevented allegations concerning possible money laundering from being pursued further. These claims, however, remain allegations, and the material provided does not establish that any court has determined that Nur Islam or his family engaged in money laundering.

Nur Islam has rejected the allegations. Speaking to Kalbela, he said he had sold Irish Pub and Bar long ago. He denied operating a bar under a restaurant licence and rejected claims that he had used influence to obstruct the investigation. He also said he was no longer involved with the business.

NBR raids four establishments

The issue has gained renewed attention following a recent NBR operation targeting four establishments over allegations involving the illegal sourcing of alcohol and alcohol-based products, as well as possible evasion of customs duties and VAT.

The establishments targeted were Fu-Wang Bowling and Services Limited, associated with Nur Islam, Ray-Canvas Restaurant, Habib Hotel International and Margarita Lounge.

Four teams led by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate conducted the operation. Officials from the NBR’s Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit, Central Intelligence Cell, VAT Audit, Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, and the Dhaka North Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate also took part.

According to the NBR, the operation followed intelligence reports alleging that alcohol and alcohol-based products were being sourced from unauthorised channels by bars, restaurants, diplomatic bonded warehouses and duty-free shops in Dhaka.

During the raids, officials examined the source of alcoholic products held by the establishments, import and purchase documents, the legality of the stock and records relating to the payment of customs duties, VAT and income tax.

Officials are also checking whether any of the products were supplied to customers who were not authorised to purchase them. Where irregularities are found, authorities may take steps to detain the relevant products, according to the NBR.

The revenue authority has said that details of its findings will be disclosed after the operation is completed. The outcome could provide further clarity on the longstanding questions surrounding alcohol sourcing, licensing, import documentation and tax compliance involving the establishments under scrutiny.