New york: Dr Ahsan H Mansur, former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, is set to testify before a New York court on April 10 regarding the ongoing efforts to recover the central bank’s stolen reserve funds.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the deposition follows a directive from the New York court, as outlined in an internal document from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). Lawyers Dharmendra Nayar and Barrister Syed Afzal Hasan Uddin confirmed the court’s order via email on March 11.
Dr Mansur has already submitted an affidavit at the court’s request and is now required to provide a formal deposition. Legal firms BSNK and Keystone, engaged by the central bank, arranged preparatory meetings for him on April 6 and 10. The former BB Governor departed from Dhaka for New York via Washington, D.C. on April 4 and is expected to return on April 12. He is accompanied by an official to assist with the process.
According to the BFIU document, Bangladesh Bank will cover all expenses for the trip, including airfare, accommodation, and protocol equivalent to the status of a sitting Governor. Additionally, BFIU Deputy Head Md Mafizur Rahman Khan Chowdhury has been requested by the legal team to be present in the US to provide expert testimony and discuss ongoing case developments. A meeting with the co-lead law firm, Cozen O’Connor, has also been scheduled.
The document further notes that lawyer Dharmendra Nayar from Keystone requested 15,000 British Pounds to cover costs related to the deposition and the New York visit. Furthermore, a proposal has been made to approve Barrister Syed Afzal Hasan Uddin’s visit from April 8-10, during which he will receive benefits equivalent to a Deputy Governor.
Due to the sensitivity of the legal proceedings, the BFIU recommended that the travel orders not be published on the Bangladesh Bank website, although immigration authorities will be formally notified.