Tk 15cr Embezzlement: HC directs police to issue int'l red alert for fugitive convict

In a rare move, the High Court yesterday ordered law enforcement agencies to issue a red alert through the Interpol to arrest a businessman who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in a corruption case over misappropriation of Tk 15 crore from Rupali Bank.

The fugitive convict is Abu Borhan Chowdhury, chairman of Everest Holding and Technologies Ltd, Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik told The Daily Star.

The inspector general of police, director general of Rapid Action Battalion, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and all law enforcement agencies have been directed to issue the red alert, and to submit a report on the progress of complying with the directive before the HC by the next hearing date of April 15.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam passed the order during hearing a suo moto (voluntary) rule on this issue.

On January 29 this year, the HC bench issued the rule, summoning three top officials of Rupali Bank Ltd to appear before it, who were exempted from charges in the corruption case by a lower court.

The three Rupali Bank officials are: its General Manager SM Atiqur Rahman, Deputy General Manager Mohammad Ali and Senior Principal Officer Md Abdus Samad Sarkar.

The court also issued the rule asking them to explain as to why they should not be tried in the case.

It issued the order and rule while hearing an appeal filed by Everest Holding and Technologies Ltd Managing Director AHM Bahauddin, who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the same case.

Atiqur, Mohammad Ali and Samad appeared before the HC bench yesterday as per its previous order.

DAG Manik said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case with Motijheel Police Station on September 16, 2012 against Rupali Bank officials Atiqur, Mohammad Ali and Samad; along with Abu Borhan Chowdhury and Bahauddin, chairman and managing director respectively of Everest Holding and Technologies Ltd -- on charges of misappropriating Tk 15 crore from Rupali Bank.

ACC Deputy Director Md Jahangir Alam on August 29, 2013 submitted the case's charge sheet to the trial court, exempting the Rupali Bank officials from the case.

He, however, implicated Borhan, Bahauddin, and Bangladesh Bank Inspector Md Abdul Quddus in the charge sheet, DAG Manik said.

The special judge court-6 of Dhaka on April 12, 2015 sentenced Borhan and Bahauddin to life imprisonment, and acquitted Quddus of the case, he said, adding that Bahauddin filed an appeal with the HC challenging the trial court verdict.

Barrister Hassan MS Azim appeared for the ACC during yesterday's hearing, while Advocate Md Rezaul Islam Reaz argued for Bahauddin and Advocate Sheikh Obaidur Rahman stood for Atiqur, Mohammad Ali and Samad.