Staff Reporter :
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved a charge sheet against 26 people, including former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman and former Janata Bank chairman Dr Abul Barakat, over the embezzlement of Tk1,130 crore from Janata Bank.
ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain confirmed the approval on Monday.
According to the investigation, the accused sanctioned loans to 22 companies under Anontex Group by relaxing rules and using falsified documents, despite the borrowers being ineligible.
The ACC found that Tk531.43 crore was misappropriated under the guise of loans, which has grown to Tk1,130.18 crore with interest. Among the other accused are Anontex Group Chairman Younus Badal, former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Abu Hena Mohammad Razi, former executive director Naushad Ali Chowdhury, and former Janata Bank director Jamal Uddin Ahmed.
The ACC had earlier filed the case on 22 February over the misappropriation of Tk297 crore. Economist Abul Barakat was later arrested and placed on remand in connection with the case.
Barakat, a noted economist, previously served as chairman of the Economics Department at Dhaka University and is the honorary chief adviser of the Human Development Research Centre (HDRC).
