Bank siege in Ctg to protest 'deposit fraud'

Agitated customers lay siege to a Janata Bank branch after a deposit fraud was leaked out in Chittagong yesterday. Photo: STAR

Agitated customers laid siege to a Janata Bank branch in Chittagong yesterday in protest against the alleged misappropriation of a huge amount of money deposited with the bank.

Scores of depositors gathered in front of the bank's Ashraf Ali Road branch at Patharghata in the morning and demanded immediate return of their cash.

They alleged that some dishonest bank officials misappropriated about Tk 1 crore.

Meanwhile, the bank officials admitted that some staff who worked with the branch previously embezzled a few lakh taka.

They said an investigation into the embezzlement was going on and appropriate actions would be taken in line with the probe report.

They, however, termed the siege a plot aimed at not paying the loan.

The officials said the bank was trying to realise huge amount of loans from two influential local businessmen. The businessmen instigated the customers in laying the siege, they said.

Sources said, MM Karim, deputy general manager of the Janata Bank, Chittagong region, filed a case with the Kotwali Police Station in March this year.

He accused then branch manager Shawgat Hossain Chowdhury, Second Officer Apu Ranjan Dhar and officials Rafiq Ahmad and Rakhal Chandra Singha of embezzling the fund.

Apu, arrested in connection with the case, was recently released on bail while principal accused Rafiq went into hiding.