Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
A Dhaka court on Friday sent Prof Abul Barkat, an economist and former chairman of Janata Bank PLC, to jail in connection with a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on charge of embezzling Tk2.97 billion through loan irregularities.
Judge of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Dhaka, Md Jewel Rana, passed the order.
Earlier on the day, Prof Abul Barkat was produced in the court, and ACC submitted a prayer seeking a three-day remand for him.
On the other hand, a defence lawyer also submitted a bail petition.
Sending Mr Barkat to jail, the court said that it will hold a hearing on both the petitions later. Aktarul Islam, deputy director (public relations) of the ACC headquarters, confirmed the court order.
Detective Branch of Police arrested Abul Barkat on Thursday from his residence at Dhanmondi Road-3 and later handed him over to the ACC.
ACC filed the case on February 20 this year, alleging that during his tenure as chairman, Abul Barkat was involved in loan fraud involving AnonTex Group, a ready-made garments company, resulting in the embezzlement of Tk2.97 billion from Janata Bank.
The case named 23 individuals as accused, including Abul Barkat, former Janata Bank director Jamal Uddin Ahmed, and former Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman.
The complaint filed by ACC Deputy Director Md Nazmul Hussain said the accused, in collusion with each other, embezzled Tk2.97 billion after sanctioning it as a loan on the basis of false documents and overvaluing a land.
bikashju@gmail.com