Chattogram: A court here today sent two former directors of the United Commercial Bank (UCBL) to jail after they surrendered in an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) case involving embezzlement and money laundering of Tk 25 crore through hundi.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the court of Chattogram Divisional Special Judge Mizanur Rahman issued the order today. The accused, former UCBL directors Aparup Chowdhury, aged 65, and Touhid Sipar Rafiquzzaman, aged 66, had previously surrendered in the same court and applied for bail.
ACC lawyer Mukarram Hossain reported that the court rejected their bail applications and ordered them to be sent to jail after hearing both sides. On March 11, charges were framed against 36 individuals, including former Land Minister of the Awami League government, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed, and the trial was initiated. The investigation officer, Deputy Director of the ACC Head Office Md. Mashiur Rahman, had submitted the charge sheet to the Chattogram Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court on January 5.
The charge sheet alleges that Aramit Group Protocol Officer Farman Ullah Chowdhury obtained a Tk 25 crore loan from UCBL by posing as the owner of a business entity called Vision Trading. Subsequently, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed withdrew the funds through his employees and transferred them abroad through hundi to purchase property.
The embezzlement occurred between October 13, 2019, and February 13, 2020. The accused face charges under various sections of the Penal Code and corruption laws, with cited violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
On July 24, 2025, ACC Head Office Deputy Director Md. Mashiur Rahman filed a case against Jabed, his wife, and 31 others at Chattogram District Office-1. The charge sheet recommends excluding two deceased individuals from the proceedings. The ACC has charged a total of 36 individuals, including 7 discovered during the investigation and 29 others.
Advocate Rashedul Alam, the lawyer of the accused, stated that the individuals were independent directors of UCBL. Aparup Chowdhury was a government administration official, and Touhidul Sipar worked for a foreign private bank, both serving as independent directors at UCBL.