Chattogram:The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against 15 individuals, including former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, for their involvement in embezzling Taka 63,77,50,000 and money laundering through fraudulent activities at the Jubilee Road branch of Islami Bank in Chattogram.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the case was lodged at ACC's Chattogram Integrated District Office-1 by Deputy Assistant Director Md. Rubel Hossain from the ACC headquarters. Among those accused are Rukmila Zaman, Managing Director of Aramit Cement PLC, Mohammad Shah Alam, the company's Chief Financial Officer, AKM Maruf, an Assistant General Manager (AGM), and Mohammad Jahangir Alam, an AGM and the proprietor of 'Classic Trading'. Additionally, 10 officials from the Islami Bank's Jubilee Road branch have been implicated.
The First Information Report (FIR) reveals that the accused colluded to engage in fraud, forgery, and abuse of power, crafting fictitious documents to embezzle loan funds. Mohammad Jahangir Alam was misrepresented as a businessman and supplier, with 'Classic Trading' falsely depicted as a goods supplier, despite no goods being provided.
The FIR details that after a Taka 350 crore loan was approved for Aramit Cement in 2017, funds were fraudulently disbursed on various occasions. Between October 24, 2018, and November 9, 2020, a total of Taka 63,77,50,000 was disbursed across 27 deals, involving forged invoices and fabricated documents. The funds were deposited into 'Classic Trading's bank account and then transferred through various accounts to Aramit Cement.
Further investigation revealed that no office or warehouse for 'Classic Trading' existed at the provided address, nor were there any import or export activities. As a result, a case has been filed under several sections of the Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act. The FIR indicates that if other individuals are found involved, they will also face legal action.