Chattogram: A court in Chattogram has handed down sentences to three individuals, including a former bank official, for embezzlement and fraud involving bank funds. The verdict was announced by Chattogram Divisional Special Judge Mizanur Rahman.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the convicted individuals are Sirajul Islam, a former Senior Principal Officer of Pubali Bank Limited, Abu Dawod Chowdhury Ripon, and Md. Shah Alam. The evidence presented in court proved that the accused collaborated to embezzle the bank's funds through fraudulent means.
Sirajul Islam received a sentence of six years of rigorous imprisonment and was fined Taka 39 lakh. If he defaults on the fine, he will face an additional six months in jail. Abu Dawod Chowdhury Ripon and Md. Shah Alam were each sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Taka 39 lakh.
Mokarram Hossain, the ACC lawyer, mentioned that in a separate case, the court issued the same sentence to three other accused individuals. These individuals have been fined a total of Taka 11,38,140 each for embezzlement and are currently on the run, with arrest warrants issued against them.
The case involves Sirajul Islam, who was the former manager of Pubali Bank Limited in the Cox's Bazar branch. He misused his authority by providing overdraft facilities to customers without sufficient funds in their accounts. Approximately Taka 34,14,422 was withdrawn through 10 checks in 1998 and four more cheques in 1999. The accused were found guilty of illegal withdrawal and embezzlement.
Despite claiming innocence during the trial, their request for acquittal was denied by the court.