The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved 12 cases against 21 people, including former senior officials of Uttara Finance and Investment Limited and business owners, over the alleged embezzlement of Tk68.80 crore.
The cases were approved at the ACC headquarters on Thursday, September 10, according to the commission’s public relations office.
The accused include former Uttara Finance managing director SM Shamsul Arefin, former senior officer Mistu Kumar Saha, former vice-president and head of treasury Mohammad Main Uddin, former vice-president Kazi Arifuzzaman, former assistant vice-president SM Kamruzzaman and former principal officer Rafidul Islam.
Several businesspeople have also been named as accused, including Kazi Moniruzzaman, managing director of Max Sweater BD; Selina Zaman, Kazi Sirajuzzaman and Kazi Abul Kalam Azad, directors of the company; and Mohammad Mohsin, managing director of Sad Musa Fabrics Ltd and Sajid Mahmood Cotton Mills.
Others include directors Mosammat Rokeya Begum and Shamima Nargis; Jason Pharmaceuticals directors Ayra Selim, Zinat Selim, Enam Mallik and Nafiza Selim; Beige Textile Ltd vice-chairman Monwar Shahadat and managing director Hasan Shibli; Pan Asia Trade House managing director AKM Faizul Haque; and Rakibul Mohammad Anwar, managing director of Rakibul Anwar Hospital Education and Training Institute, and his wife Nafiza Akter Anwar.
According to the ACC inquiry report, Tk68.80 crore was allegedly taken from Uttara Finance without applications or supporting documents, collateral or approval from the company’s board.
The report alleges that the accused acted in collusion, abused their positions and breached their fiduciary responsibilities to misappropriate the funds.
The 12 cases involve owners and officials of 15 businesses as well as senior officials of Uttara Finance.
The ACC has approved the cases under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, Sections 409, 420 and 109 of the Penal Code, and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Investigating officers are expected to submit the charge sheets and other relevant documents to the court soon.
