Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated a corruption case against 11 individuals, including a managing director and four general managers of Agrani Bank, in connection with a loan scam and embezzlement.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Director General (Prevention) of the ACC, Md Akhter Hossain, revealed details of the case during a press briefing at the commission's headquarters. The case centers around a loan of Taka 51 crore, originally borrowed by 'Messer's Mizan Traders' on behalf of Jasmir Vegetable Oil Limited from Agrani Bank's Chattogram Asadganj Branch in 2010. The outstanding loan amount has since ballooned to Taka 189.80 crore.
Investigations by the ACC uncovered that the loan was sanctioned rapidly after the company opened an account with the bank. Recommendations for the loan were made without objection by various bank officials, including the then principal officer, assistant general manager of the branch, and general manager circle. The bank's Board of Directors subsequently approved the loan.
Additionally, the bank permitted the managing director of Jasmir Vegetable Oil Limited to manage the account, although it was registered under Mizanur Rahman, an employee of the company. The accused in the case include former managing director and chief operating officer Syed Abdul Hamid, and several former general and deputy general managers. Also implicated are Md Mizanur Rahman, owner of Messer's Mizan Traders; Zahir Ahmed, managing director of Tasmir Vegetable Oil Limited; and bank directors Tipu Sultan and Farhad Monwar.
The case has been filed under section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act-1947 and sections 409/109 of the Bangladesh Penal Code.