Public money plunderers should be ‘shot down’ : HC

Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Tuesday observed that those who are involved in embezzling public money should be ‘shot down’. It also suggested for a summary trial in the cases of money embezzlement.
While hearing three bail petitions filed by an accused of corruption cases filed in connection with the Basic Bank scams the court said, “The money launderers are the enemies of the nation. Why these cases will not be tried? Why the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is not giving the charge sheets? There should be a summary trial in the cases of money embezzlement.”
The court also said that those who are involved with embezzling public money should be ‘shot down’, and that should be their punishment.
The High Court bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat was holding the hearing on bail petitions placed by accused Mohammad Ali, former Manager of Basic Bank’s Shantinagar branch, in three cases.
Lawyer Abul Hossain who appeared in the court hearing representing the accused said, “More than five years have passed but the Anti-Corruption Commission is yet to submit charge sheets (to the lower court) in the cases filed for Basic Bank loan scams. As a result the trial couldn’t be finished in the cases.”
Then the court passed the observation. After the hearing, the court asked the ACC to submit the latest situation of all the cases filed over the Basic Bank scams within November 21 this year.
Lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan appeared in the hearing on behalf of the ACC, while Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state.
According to a Bangladesh Bank enquiry, around Tk 45.0 billion was siphoned off of Basic Bank between 2009 and 2013 when Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu chaired the board of the bank.
A total of 56 cases were filed over the Basic Bank scams. But the ACC could not submit any charge sheet in any of the cases in last six years, which bars the trial process of the cases.
Mohammad Ali was made accused in more than 20 cases and he was shown arrest on December 12, 2018, said Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan.
Three cases in which accused Mohammad Ali sought bail from the HC were filed on charge of embezzling Tk 700 million, 300 million and 780 million respectively with the Ramna Police Station.