Chisty denied bail

The High Court yesterday denied bail to Mahabubul Haque Chisty, former chairman of Farmers Bank's audit committee, in a Tk 160-crore laundering case.

The court, however, issued a rule asking the government to explain in three weeks why the official should not get bail.

The bench of Justice Md Shawkat Hossain and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman came up with the rule following a bail petition by Chisty.

Barrister Abdullah Al Mahmud, a defence lawyer, told The Daily Star that his client cannot walk out of jail until the HC disposes of the rule.

Citing from the bail petition, the lawyer said there is no allegation against Chisty of committing corruption or taking bribe in the case. He was accused just on the basis of suspicious bank transactions, he added.  

On April 10, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case with Gulshan Police Station accusing six, including Chisty, on charge of laundering Tk 160 crore.

The other accused are his wife Ruzi Chisty, his son Rashedul Haque Chisty, the bank's senior vice president Zia Uddin Ahmed, first vice president Muhammad Masudur Rahman Khan, and ex-manager of the bank's Gulshan Corporate Branch Delwar Hossain.

ACC found that between November 18, 2013 and January 30, 2018, Tk 138.82 crore was deposited in the current accounts of Bakshiganj Jute Spinners Ltd, owned by Chisty's son, wife and daughter, at Farmers Bank's Bakshiganj and Gulshan branches. Later, the entire amount was withdrawn in cash.

Chisty, his son Rashedul, and officials Zia and Masudur landed in jail on April 10 after ACC arrested them .

Ruzi Chisty has got bail from the HC and a lower court.