Govt told to return Tk 6.15bn to 11 firms

On Thursday, the four-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha scrapped Bangladesh Bank’s appeal against the High Court verdict in favour of the 11 organisations.

Counsel Ahsanul Karim, who represented the businesses, said, “Eleven appeals were filed against the High Court verdict. The court ordered to return the money of those companies who had moved the court.”

On Jan 11, 2007, the military-installed interim government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed took office by ousting the then President Iajuddin Ahmed-led caretaker administration.

During the two-year emergency regime, many businessmen and politicians were arrested in a crackdown against ‘corruption.’

Between April 2007 and November 2008, a huge amount of money was confiscated from almost 40 businessmen and organisations, which has been kept with the Bangladesh Bank.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith told the Parliament in 2010 that the funds confiscated during the emergency regime was almost Tk 12.32 billion, which is with the state exchequer.

As many as 11 companies moved the High Court over the ‘confiscated’ funds and secured verdicts in their favour.

Bangladesh Bank moved the Appellate Division against the High Court’s order, which has been turned down on Thursday.

Source: bdnews24