Major offences taking place in banking sector: HC

GBNews24 Desk//

The High Court has observed that the country’s major offences have been taking place in the banking sector.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the observation on Tuesday during the hearing of a bail petition filed by four official of the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited in a money embezzlement case.

The court said, “The most deadly offences of the country have been taking place in the banking sector. There are many big offences in this sector. These are paralyzing the country. How will the country move forward if these continue?”

During the hearing the High Court also observed, “The banking sector is in a very fragile situation. This is the most fragile sector now in the country. It needs reform. It is terrible that the amount of looting, fraud and corruption have been happening in this sector. It needs to be stopped.”

Later the High Court asked the four officials to surrender in a special court of Chapainawabganj within four weeks.

The court said, “We would send you in jail, however, since the amount of money is less, we are giving you an opportunity to surrender.”

Lawyer Fauzia Akter who appeared in the court hearing on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said, “The four accused employees of the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited embezzled Tk 23 lakh by opening an account in the name of a customer. Later, the customer filed a case against them.”

ACC counsel Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan said, “During the hearing of a case the High Court observed that the banking sector is in a very fragile situation. This is the most fragile sector now in the country. It needs reform. It is scary that the way fraud is happening, the way money is being embezzled. That’s why the High Court expressed its concern about the matter.”

ACC deputy assistant director Sudip Kumar Chowdhury filed the case with Rajshahi integrated office of the ACC on March 20, accusing six officials of Shibganj branch of the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited in the Chapainawabganj district.