Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib has imposed travel restrictions on 15 individuals, including Monowara Sikder – director of National Bank and wife of Sikder Group founder Zainul Haque Sikder – in connection with a Tk178 crore embezzlement case.
The others barred from leaving the country include Managing Director of Broadway Real Estate Ltd Mohammad Sharif Uzzaman Khan, Chairman Md Ismail, Directors Mohammad Fazle Rabbi and Tawsif Saifullah, former branch manager of National Bank Syed Rais Uddin, Managing Director of Desh TV and Chairman of Hasan Telecom Arif Hasan, former company secretary ASM Bulbul, former bank executives CM Ahmed, Parveen Haque Sikder, Moazzem Hossain, Khalilur Rahman, and Mabroor Hossain, and former sub-registrar Md Rajab Ali.
Deputy Director GM Ahsanul Kabir of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the travel ban petition. The case alleges that National Bank’s Mohakhali branch approved Tk490 crore in loans to Broadway Real Estate through premeditated collusion, with Tk462 crore being misappropriated through unauthorised fund transfers. As of November 30 last year, the outstanding amount with interest totals Tk178.89 crore.
Case details reveal that the Sikder family and Arif Hasan allegedly registered Broadway Real Estate using fake documents using the names of Desh TV employees. Despite the project land being mortgaged to Hasan Telecom, they concealed this to secure loans for a 16-story commercial building. Bank executives allegedly violated banking rules to approve and siphon the funds.
The accused face charges under the Penal Code, Anti-Corruption Act, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act. An investigating officer has been appointed as authorities fear the suspects may flee abroad.