The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved the filing of four separate cases against former private industry and investment adviser to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Beximco Group Vice-Chairman Salman F Rahman, along with 94 others, over the alleged embezzlement of nearly Tk 2,857 crore from Janata Bank PLC.
ACC Assistant Director Tanzir Ahmed on Thursday confirmed the approval of the cases under the Anti-Corruption Act and Money Laundering Prevention Act, involve four companies, Bay City Apparels Limited, Yellow Apparels Limited, Pink Maker Limited, and Apollo Apparels Limited, which allegedly received loans under the Export Development Fund (EDF) scheme and misappropriated the funds through fraudulent import-export transactions.
In the first case, 27 individuals, including Salman F Rahman are accused of approving EDF loans to Bay City Apparels Limited, a newly established company with inexperienced directors.
Fraudulent accommodation bills through Letters of Credit (LCs) were allegedly used to embezzle over Tk 1,047.13 crore.
The second case involves Salman F Rahman and 23 individuals linked to Apollo Apparels Limited. Through similar fraudulent LCs, around Tk 719.15 crore, was allegedly misappropriated.
The third case names 23 individuals, including Salman F Rahman, in connection with Yellow Apparels Limited. Fraudulent import-export documentation and LCs were allegedly used to embezzle over Tk 416. 31 crore.
The fourth case targets 20 individuals, including Salman F Rahman, for alleged embezzlement of Tk 675.32 crore, from Pink Maker Limited through fraudulent import-export documentation, with the funds subsequently layered and transferred among the accused.
The ACC said the cases have been approved under multiple sections of the Penal Code (Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 477A, and 109); the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act (Sections 4(2) and 4(3)).
