Warrants issued for ex-BB chief Atiur Rahman, 24 others in Tk 5.31 billion embezzlement case

Abul Barkat is currently in jail in connection with the case

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against former Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor Atiur Rahman and 24 others on charges of embezzling Tk 5.31 billion in the name of a private company named AnonTex Group.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz ordered the arrests on Jan 15, confirmed Tariqul Islam, an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer.

“The chargesheet named 26 suspects, including former Janata Bank chairman Abul Barkat, who is currently in jail. The rest of the accused are absconding,” he said.

The court asked authorities to report back to it on Mar 4 on the execution of the arrest warrants.

The other suspects wanted by the court included a former BB deputy governor, former Janata Bank officials, and AnonTex Group chairman Younus Badal.

On Feb 20 last year, Abul Barkat and 22 others were accused in a separate case involving embezzlement of Tk 2.97 billion in the name of AnonTex Group. The ACC filed the case.

The case statement alleged Abul Barkat and Atiur released the money as loans for 22 companies under the AnonTex Group. A chargesheet was submitted against 26 in the case.

It is alleged in the chargesheet that the suspects used fake documents to embezzle Tk 5.31 billion from Janata Bank. Including interest, the amount has risen to about Tk 11.30 billion.