The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday filed a case against four businessmen and seven officials of state-owned Agrani Bank on charges of embezzling around Tk190 crore in loans, including principal and interest.

ACC Deputy Director Subel Ahmed confirmed the case, which was lodged with the commission’s Chattogram office. Deputy Assistant Director of ACC Chattogram Integrated Office-1 filed the case, accusing the bank officials of disbursing loans against foreign letters of credit (LC) in violation of Bangladesh Bank regulations, thereby facilitating misappropriation of funds in collusion with the borrowers.

The accused bank officials are former principal officer of Agrani Bank’s Asadganj Branch Mostak Ahmed; former deputy general manager (DGM) of Chattogram central region Md Abul Hossain Talukder; former general managers Md Obayed Ullah Al Masud and Md Shams Ul Islam; former DGM Tajrina Ferdousi; former general manager Md Mofazzal Hossain; and former managing director and CEO Syed Abdul Hamid.

The businessmen named in the case are loan recipient Md Mizanur Rahman, proprietor of M/S Mizan Trading at Katunganj, and three guarantors—Zahir Ahmed, Tipu Sultan, and Farhad Monowar—directors of Jasmir Vegetable Oil Ltd, a sister concern of Chattogram-based Nurjahan Group.

According to the case statement, Agrani Bank’s Asadganj Branch had opened an LC worth Tk126.11 crore for M/S Mizan Trading to import chickpeas and wheat, despite the firm not meeting eligibility criteria. On the recommendation of five head office officials, Tk51 crore was disbursed. As the loan was not repaid on time, the outstanding amount, with accrued interest, has now reached Tk190 crore.

The case was filed under Sections 409 and 109 of the Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

MN/