ACC quizzes BASIC Bank’s ex-chairman again

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today once again interrogated former BASIC Bank chairman Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu in connection with 56 cases filed over embezzlement of Tk 2,036 crore from the bank.

ACC's Public Relations Officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya said Bacchu was interrogated for over two and a half hours till 4:45pm.

With the today’s interrogation, the anti-graft body quizzed Bacchu for the third day. Previously, he was interrogated on December 4 and 6.

Bacchu, however, did not say anything before the media, sources said.

According to Bangladesh Bank findings, around Tk 4,500 crore had been siphoned out of BASIC Bank between September 2009 and 2012 when Bacchu led the bank's board of directors.

On July 14, 2014, the BB gave the ACC a report detailing how the money was embezzled through shell companies and dubious accounts.

The report said Bacchu illegally influenced all activities of the state-owned lender, leaving the once financially-sound bank crumbling.

BB also narrated how the former chairman abused his powers to play an active role in loan scams. He approved many loans ignoring recommendations of branches.

He also allegedly approved loans based on forged documents.