2 Indians among 5 sued for money laundering

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday filed two cases against five persons including two Indian citizens for their alleged involvement in laundering Tk 64.29 lakh abroad.

ACC's Deputy Assistant Director Muhammad Shihab Salam filed the cases with Kalabagan Police Station against Yogesh Kakar, and his wife Ruby Kakar, managing director and director of Regency Packaging Limited and Regency Trims Limited respectively.

The three others accused in the case are HSBC officials Ahmed Habib, Sohag Chakma and Tahmim Hasan of Overseas Payment and Investigation department.

According to the case statement, the couple sent an extra Tk 19.5 lakh to a US-based T-shirt company as commission without taking approval from Bangladesh Bank.

The three bank officials cleared the transaction although Yogesh and his wife could not produce supporting documents in this regard, the statement added.

Another case stated Yogesh directed the bank officials to draft an illegal credit agreement and sent Tk 44.79 lakh to one Amarson Overseas Pvt Ltd of India. The bank officials assisted in the transaction and also concealed the information.

A probe by ACC revealed Yogesh as the director of Amarson Overseas Pvt Ltd.

“Habib and Sohag gave clearance for the transaction, although Yogesh could not provide supportive documents in this regard,” the FIR said.

Contacted, Talukdar Noman Anwar, head of marketing and communications of HSBC Bank said he is yet to know anything on the issue.

“However, we're respectful of the regulations of Bangladesh and will cooperate with the authorities concerned,” he added.