Accomplices under scanner of ACC

• PK Haldar’s scam
  – Many on the run

Golam Mostafa Jibon: The accomplices, who assisted Prashanta Kumar Halder alias PK Halder to siphoning and plundering over Tk 10,000 crore, are now under scanner of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Some of them are now on the run to avert arrest or legal action. But, efforts to bring all of those to book are going on with a view to retrieve the country’s large amount of money, said the reliable sources of ACC and concerned law enforcers.
However, apprehension is prevailing among the elite persons that the associates of PK Halder can flee abroad by cutting the trap of law enforcers, if surveillance is not beefed up.
Though, the process to bring back PK Halder to Bangnladesh is underway,the patrons of the money looterPK Halder, mostly top officials of Bangladesh Bank (BB), also the supervisory body of the financial institutions of the country, are trying to save them in various tricks.
Meanwhile, the names of two top officials of BB have come forward clearly during the investigation before and after the arrest of PK Halder in India, the central bank BB could not take any action against the associates-former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank Sitangshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury (SK Sur) and former executive director Shah Alam so far.
Shah Alam has just been removed from the post of executive director of the financial institutions department.
According to the ACC and the investigation team, some top officials of Bangladesh Bank cooperated PK Haldar in the case of embezzling more than Tk 10,000 crore. Of them, SK Sur, former deputy governor of the central bank (BB) and Shah Alam, executive director of the Bangladesh Bank’s Department of Financial Institutions and Markets (DFIM) are fundamental.
Rashedul Haque, former Managing Director (MD) of International Leasing revealed their names during the ACC interrogation. Later, the demand for arrest of those money looters came from different stages. But, the duo went out of reach without any resistance due to the invisible power of a section influential quarter.
In his statement to the ACC, Rashedul Haque said,PK Halder squandered money by managing SK Sur Chowdhury, former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank. Besides, Shah Alam, executive director of Bangladesh Bank’s Department of Financial Institutions and Markets (DFIM) was paid Tk 2 lakh per month from a financial institution. This money was withdrawn from the institution showing ‘miscellaneous’ expenses so that there was no evidence of bribery.
A top official of Bangladesh Bank on condition of anonymity said, “A top industrial group in Chattogram is currently controlling the country’s financial sector. SK Sur himself often told people that he got the deputy governor post with the blessings of that group.
There is an allegation that he used to receiveTk 30 lakh per month in exchange of serving the purpose of the industrial group. Despite so many allegations, no action was taken against him by the authorities concerned due to the influence of that group, many complained.
He went retirement after completion of his tenure that set upan example in the history of the country. Besides, the central bank could not give any punishment to Shah Alam except the change of department due to the power of SK Sur.
The official added that, there were other allegations against SK Sur and Shah Alam. But nothing could bring him to the face of punishment under the pressure of an invisible force.
SK Sur Chowdhury, the patron of his misdeeds, has no news even though the news of PK Haldar’s arrest has now become talk of the world including Bangladesh and India. There is no sign of action against the two persons except interrogation by ACC, many complained.
Seeking anonymity, a top official of ACC said, Bangladesh Bank’s joint director Mohammad Ferdous Kabir and ABM Mubarak Hossain, deputy director Hamidul Alam and assistant director Quader Ali were also interrogated and some information were obtained. The information is being verified.
There is allegation of misappropriating more than Tk 10,000 crore against PK Halder, former managing director of International Leasing and NRB Bank (now Global Islami Bank).
After the casino scandal, the name of PK Halder came to the limelight first over siphoningof Tk 3,500 crore. Then one by one more information of money laundering and looting came out.
Meanwhile, many big fishes are in panic after the arrest of PK Halder, who gave birth to the biggest scandal in the financial sector of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, PK Halder himself wanted to reveal the names of his patrons after back in the country. The names of his associates are also coming through various channels.
It is learned that, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has kept a close watch on those including officials of Bangladesh Bank, whose names have already come to the front line.
Bangladesh Bank spokesman and executive director Sirajul Islam said, “SK Sur and Shah Alam are not employees of Bangladesh Bank now. Therefore, Bangladesh Bank will not be able to take any action against them. Now, if any case is lodged against them or they are found as guilty in the investigation, the court will be able to take action as per rules. However, that is a matter of the elite court.”
Replying a query, he also said, “It is not possible to take any action against anyone, if any allegation is not made against him or her.”
An official of Bangladesh Bank however said, other corrupt officials will get courage, if no action is taken against those people even after huge allegations.
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said, “Further investigation is underway against those, whose names have come up in the investigation in the light of time. If the allegations are found to be true in the final stage, action would be taken according to the law.”
In the meantime, SK Sur and Shah Alam were given embargo (ban) to go abroad. The ACC is proceeding according to the law regarding their arrest, sources said.