A Dhaka court issued arrest warrants against former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman and 25 others after taking cognizance of a charge sheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in a major loan embezzlement case on Tuesday, January 20.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge and Senior Special Judge’s Court Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the order, directing authorities to submit a report on the execution of the warrants by March 4.
According to ACC Public Prosecutor Mohammad Tariqul Islam, the charge sheet names 26 accused, including economist Dr Abul Barkat, over allegations of embezzling approximately Tk 531 crore from Janata Bank in the name of AnonTex Group. The court ordered arrest warrants against 25 of the accused after reviewing the charge sheet.
Those facing arrest include former Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Abu Hena Mohammad Razi Hasan, former Janata Bank Managing Director and CEO Abdus Salam Azad, former director Jamal Uddin Ahmed, several former senior bank officials, and AnonTex Group Chairman Md. Yunus Badal along with other top executives of the group.
During the hearing, Dr Abul Barkat, who is currently in custody, was produced before the court. His bail application was rejected, and he was ordered to be sent back to jail.
The charge sheet alleges that the accused acted in collusion to misappropriate Tk 531.44 crore by submitting forged documents. Including interest, the total amount involved is estimated at Tk 1,130.19 crore. The initial complaint, however, cited an embezzled amount exceeding Tk 297.38 crore.
The case was filed by ACC Deputy Director Md Nazmul Hossain of the Dhaka Integrated District Office on February 22 last year. The charge sheet was submitted to the court on October 20 following completion of the investigation.
MDAA/MHK