BASIC Bank scam: Court summons two investigation officers of 13 cases
Staff Correspondent
A Dhaka court today summoned two investigation officers of 13 corruption cases filed over BASIC Bank loan scams, seeking explanations as to whether the bank's board of directors were involved.
The officials are Anti-Corruption Commission's deputy directors Gulshan Anowar Prodhan and Monayem Hossain, who investigated the cases and submitted charge sheets.
Gulshan Anowar Prodhan, who pressed charges against former BASIC Bank Chairman Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu and 50 others in nine cases, was ordered to appear before the court on February 24. Monayem Hossain, who investigated four cases, was summoned to appear before the court on February 26.
Judge Abul Kashem of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-1 issued the order after identifying flaws in the investigation of the cases.
On January 2, the same court summoned three investigation officers of 16 corruption cases filed over the BASIC Bank loan scams, seeking explanations on the same issue.
Five investigation officers including Anowar Prodhan and Monayem Hossain have investigated all 59 graft cases and submitted charge sheets against Bacchu and others.
After receiving their explanations, the judge will decide whether charges should be framed against Bacchu and 146 others in connection with the 59 cases, the prosecution said.
A Dhaka court today summoned two investigation officers of 13 corruption cases filed over BASIC Bank loan scams, seeking explanations as to whether the bank's board of directors were involved.
The officials are Anti-Corruption Commission's deputy directors Gulshan Anowar Prodhan and Monayem Hossain, who investigated the cases and submitted charge sheets.
Gulshan Anowar Prodhan, who pressed charges against former BASIC Bank Chairman Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu and 50 others in nine cases, was ordered to appear before the court on February 24. Monayem Hossain, who investigated four cases, was summoned to appear before the court on February 26.
Judge Abul Kashem of Dhaka Special Judge's Court-1 issued the order after identifying flaws in the investigation of the cases.
On January 2, the same court summoned three investigation officers of 16 corruption cases filed over the BASIC Bank loan scams, seeking explanations on the same issue.
Five investigation officers including Anowar Prodhan and Monayem Hossain have investigated all 59 graft cases and submitted charge sheets against Bacchu and others.
After receiving their explanations, the judge will decide whether charges should be framed against Bacchu and 146 others in connection with the 59 cases, the prosecution said.
On June 12, 2023, the ACC submitted charge sheets against Bacchu and 146 others for embezzling Tk 2,265 crore. However, the commission did not implicate the board members who were in-charge of the bank when the massive embezzlement occurred between 2009 and 2013.
During this period, Tk 4,500 crore was swindled from BASIC Bank, with more than 95 percent of the loans sanctioned by the board.
In 2015, the ACC filed 56 cases related to the scams, but neither Bacchu nor any of the board members were named as accused, despite multiple investigations indicating their involvement. Later, four additional cases were filed.
