Agrani Bank’s official sent to jail in Munshiganj

A court in Munshiganj has sent an Agrani Bank official to jail over allegations that he embezzled money from customers of the bank’s Sreenagar branch.

Munshiganj Senior Judicial Magistrate passed the order after police produced Md Sharifuzzaman Sohag, 43, before the court Wednesday afternoon, said Court Inspector Kamrul Islam.

Sohag, a cash officer at Agrani Bank’s Sreenagar branch, was arrested from Madhya Paikpara in Dhaka’s Mirpur on Tuesday night, according to a press release issued by Munshiganj district police.

Police said Sohag allegedly lured customers by promising them an additional 11-12 percent interest. He allegedly collected substantial sums from them using bank vouchers and his personal seal and later misappropriated the money.

According to police, Sohag went into hiding on September 22 after allegedly embezzling the funds. Munshiganj police subsequently launched a drive to locate and arrest him.

Police said they seized Tk 145,200 in cash, three mobile phones, a cheque book, two ATM cards and a bank locker key from his possession during the arrest.

Meanwhile, Agrani Bank’s head office has formed a three-member audit team to determine the actual amount allegedly embezzled. The investigation is ongoing.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also taken cognisance of the allegations and is conducting a parallel investigation.

Police said Sohag was arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.