Accused surrenders in Dhaka Court on stretcher from Magura

With an arrest warrant hanging over his head in a four-crore-taka embezzlement case, Ruhul Amin Palash, a former trainee assistant officer of Farmers Bank (now Padma Bank), surrendered before a Dhaka court by traveling from Magura in an ambulance. Due to his physical illness, he was brought into the court's proceedings on a stretcher.

Ruhul Amin Palash surrendered before Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Shahjahan Kabir and applied for bail on Tuesday (August 11). His lawyer, Md. Ramzan Ali (Ripon), stated that considering his physical condition, the judge advised him to continue his medical treatment.

According to case documents, on September 21, 2023, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Assistant Director Shahidur Rahman filed a case at the Integrated District Office-1 over the embezzlement of 4 crore 3 lakh 41 thousand taka from the Bakshiganj branch of Farmers Bank in Jamalpur through forgery and fraud.

Five individuals were named as accused in the case. They are Mahbubul Haque Chisty, former chairman of Padma Bank's audit committee; his daughter Rimi Chisty; former assistant officer Fakhruzzaman; former trainee assistant officer Ruhul Amin Palash; and Kamruzzaman.

Following the investigation, the ACC submitted a chargesheet to the court on October 6 of last year, implicating these five individuals along with Masudur Rahman Khan, the branch head and first vice-president of the bank.

On January 15, the court took cognizance of the chargesheet. At the same time, arrest warrants were issued against Masudur Rahman, Fakhruzzaman, Ruhul Amin Palash, and Kamruzzaman, as they were absconding. Another accused in the case, Mahbubul Haque Chisty, is currently in jail, while Rimi Chisty is out on bail.

Carrying the arrest warrant, Ruhul Amin Palash arrived in Dhaka from Magura by ambulance on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his father Rezaual Karim and his wife. He was subsequently taken into the courtroom on a stretcher.

During the bail hearing, lawyer Md. Ramzan Ali argued, "Junior officials performed their duties under the instructions of senior officials. My client is not involved in any crime. He did not misappropriate or receive or enjoy any money through forgery."

The lawyer further stated, "Ruhul Amin Palash is suffering from a neurological condition and is completely paralyzed. Being paralyzed from the waist down, he is unable to perform daily activities and is completely bedridden. He came to court in an ambulance and on a stretcher to apply for bail. He deserves bail on grounds of illness and humanitarian considerations."

According to the defense lawyer, after hearing arguments from both sides, the judge remarked that the accused is seriously ill and unable to move without assistance. His treatment is ongoing and must be continued, and he will need to surrender before the court again at a later time.

Later in the afternoon, Ruhul Amin Palash left the court premises by ambulance.