The High Court (HC) has ordered authorities concerned to conduct a probe into the alleged loan scams in Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, Social Islami Bank Limited and First Security Islami Bank Limited and submit reports within four months.
A High Court division bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order in suo moto and issued a rule in this regard as reports of different national dailies came to its attention on Sunday.
The court asked Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and concerned banks to conduct the probe and submit reports. The High Court also asked them to explain what actions have been taken against the people found guilty in the crime.
The High Court fixed April 5, 2023, for further hearing in this regard.
Senior advocate Khurshid Alam Khan took part in the hearing for the ACC, while Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin stood for the state.
The court also ordered the chairman of S Alam Group to submit relevant documents regarding the loan taken by the group and the authenticity of the allegations brought against them in newspaper reports. It also sought lists of names and addresses of the bank officials who dealt with the loan procedure.
The High Court in its rule asked authorities concerned to explain in four weeks as to why it shall not declare their 'inaction' in taking actions against the culprits, illegal and order them to take the necessary step in this regard. Respondents including Finance Secretary, Bangladesh Bank, BFIU and CID have been asked to reply to the rule.