ACC summons 18 JB directors, including 2 former chairmen

The Anti-Corruption Commission has summoned 18 directors of Janata Bank, including two former chairmen, for questioning over allegations of irregularities and corruption involving the embezzlement of Tk 2.5 billion in bank loans and evasion of Tk 2.18 billion in income tax.

The ACC investigation team recently sent separate summons letters to the managing director of Janata Bank. A senior ACC official confirmed the matter on Saturday, January 17. Those summoned have been asked to appear at the ACC office on January 18 and January 20.

Those summoned for January 18 include former chairman Dr Abul Barkat, directors Dr Jamal Uddin Ahmed, Najibul Islam Dipu, A M Debnath, Syed Bazlul Karim, Professor Mohammad Moinuddin, Md Abu Naser, Sangeeta Ahmed, Nitai Chandra Nag, A K M Kamrul Islam and Md Mahbubur Rahman Hiron.

Former chairman S M Mahfuzur Rahman and directors Ajit Kumar Pal, Meshkat Ahmed Chowdhury, K M Shamsul Alam, Muhammad Asad Ullah, Md Zia Uddin Ahmed and Md Helal Uddin have been summoned for January 20.

Among those summoned, former Janata Bank PLC chairman and economist Dr Abul Barkat was arrested from Dhanmondi on July 11 in a case involving the embezzlement of Tk 2.97 billion. After remand, he is currently in jail, and the ACC team is expected to question him at the jail gate.

The ACC is also investigating allegations of irregularities, corruption and illegal wealth accumulation against Shamima Atikulllah Khan, chairman of Globe Janakantha Shilpa Paribar Limited, and other top officials of the group. Sources said the group’s loans were initially with Sonali Bank and were taken over by Janata Bank in 2012 while in regular status, followed by approval of new loans. The group is currently accused of defaulting on loans amounting to around Tk 8 billion.