Embezzling Tk 18.50 cr: ACC files case against five in Khulna

The Anti-Corruption Commission in Khulna filed a case against five individuals on Monday for embezzling Tk 18.50 cr.

Khulna, Aug 17 : The Anti-Corruption Commission in Khulna filed a case against five  individuals on Monday  for embezzling Tk 18 crore 50 lakh from  the corporate branch of Sonali Bank in Khulna.

Managing Director (MD) of Star Sea Food Industries Limited Md Salauddin and the bank's godown keeper A. Mannan was made the primary accused in the case.

The case, filed by the ACC Deputy Director (Khulna) Md Shaon Miah, was registered in the Khulna Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on Monday.

According to the case statement,  Star Sea Food Industries Limited borrowed a total of Tk 18 crore 50 lakh from Sonali Bank.

The collateral against this loan was the exportable shrimp kept in the company’s godown.

The bank appointed  A.Mannan Hawladar and supporting staff Rahim Babu for godown maintenance as long as the company does not pay back their loan.

However, Managing Director (MD) of Star Sea Food Industries Limited Md Salauddin in collusion with Mannan sold all the exportable shrimps  in the local market from July 15 to August 10 of 2017.

The then deputy general manager of the bank  Abu Hossain Sheikh found out about the secret fish sale and filed a case with the local police station at that time.

A. Mannan who is an activist of ruling party affiliated organisation ‘Sramik League’ and president of "Collective Bargaining Agent", (CDA,  a trade union of working men) allegedly influenced the law enforcement agencies using his connections with the higher-ups.

Finally, the investigative officers of police assigned in the case submitted  a biased final report stating that no anomalies were  found and the allegation of Sonali Bank  DGM was false.

According to sources, Mannan even went as far as harassing and threatening Abu Hossain in many ways for bringing the allegations.

But the tide started turning when the Anti-Corruption Commission started investigating the incident.

After a thorough investigation, the ACC team found evidence or so they said of irregularities and finally filed a case on Tuesday accusing five people including Mannan and Salauddin.

Confirming the matter, Sheikh Shahidul Islam, the current DGM of Sonali Bank Khulna Corporate Branch said that Mannan has already been suspended over the matter and others who were made accused would follow him once they get a final copy of the case, reports UNB.