The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has revoked its ongoing probe into the non-funded part of the much-talked-about Sonali Bank loan scam as the anti-graft body found it out of its jurisdiction.
“Sonali Bank and Bangladesh Bank will conduct probes in this regard as the non-funded part of the loan scam is out of our (ACC) jurisdiction,” ACC chairman M Badiuzzaman told UNB.
Hall-Mark Group swindled out a total of Taka 3,547 crore from the Sonali Bank — both funded and non-funded ones.
The controversial group swindled out Tk 1,568 crore from the bank’s Ruposhi Bangla branch in cash while it plundered Tk 1,709 crore from different private banks showing clearance of the Sonali Bank.
On April 7 this year, the ACC sent letters to the managing director of Sonali Bank Pradip Kumar Dutta and manager of bank’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotel branch asking them to initiate inquiries into the non-funded part of the loan scam as the Commission has already decided not to continue its probe, sources at the Commission said.
In the non-funded part, Hall-Mark Group plundered Tk 1,709 crore from 37 commercial banks — 25 private banks, five foreign banks and seven government banks.
ACC chairman M Badiuzzaman said as bank-to-bank interaction took place in disbursing loans to the Hall-Mark Group, they (Sonali Bank and Bangladesh Bank) will conduct the inquires.
“Nearly 40 separate probes will be needed to settle the issue,” he added.
On October 4, 2012, the ACC filed 11 cases against 27 officials of Sonali Bank and Hall-Mark Group on charge of swindling out Tk 1,568 crore from the bank’s Ruposhi Bangla branch in cash.
On September 16, 2013, the commission approved 11 chargesheets against 25 people for the embezzlement of the money.
The ACC, in January 2013, filed another 26 cases against 35 top officials of Sonali Bank and five business firms, including 17 of the bank, for swindling out over Tk 350 crore from it.
Source: UNB Connect
