Chattogram: A Chattogram court has sentenced five former Janata Bank officials of Sheikh Mujib Road Corporate Branch to 8 years imprisonment for embezzling Taka 3.39 crore in collusion with customers 26 years ago. Chattogram Divisional Special Judge Md. Mizanur Rahman delivered the verdict, acquitting one official who was found innocent.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the bank officials and customers illicitly transferred money from various accounts at the bank through mutual collusion, as confirmed by court sources. The case was initially filed by the bank's Deputy General Manager, Abul Kashem Mia, with the Doublemooring thana in 2000.
The court's announcement of the verdict occurred in the absence of all five accused, prompting the issuance of arrest warrants against them. Advocate Enamul Islam, the Public Prosecutor of the Anti-Corruption Commission, stated that the court sentenced the officials to five years imprisonment under Section 409 of the Penal Code, two years under Section 420, and one year under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Additionally, the court imposed a fine of Taka 46 lakh on each official, with an extra one-year imprisonment in default. The allegations of bank money embezzlement were substantiated by the testimony of 12 witnesses. The Special Inspection Team's investigation revealed the misappropriation of Taka 3.39 crore and 81 thousand between January 1, 1999, and March 29, 2000.
The charge sheet was submitted to the court following the completion of the investigation on June 14, 2011. Charges against the accused were framed on March 6, 2013, leading to the commencement of the trial.