Dhaka: A court here today imposed a travel ban on three officials of South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce (SBAC) Bank PLC over graft charges. The three accused are former manager of the bank’s Bijoy Nagar branch Ismamul Haque, former first vice president (FVP) Khandaker Nure Imam, and former trainee officer Jannatul Mawa Sweety.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the order, allowing a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The application stated that officials of SBAC Bank have been accused of criminal breach of trust and fraudulent abuse of power. Allegedly, in collusion with one another, they concealed the identities of the actual beneficiaries and facilitated the operation of anonymous accounts, thereby failing to discharge their entrusted duties as bank officials.
By abusing their authority and violating the bank’s policies with dishonest intent, they reportedly opened 234 Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) accounts in the names of 14 individuals and subsequently closed those accounts, involving suspicious transactions amounting to Taka 165.45 crore.
To investigate the allegation, an inquiry officer has been appointed. According to reliable sources, there is apprehension that the accused persons may attempt to leave the country. Therefore, in the interest of a fair and proper investigation, it is necessary to impose a travel restriction on the persons concerned.