Sonali Bank sues Hall-Mark bosses

Jasmine Islam. Star file photo

Sonali Bank today filed three separate cases against the Hall-Mark chairman, managing director and three others for realising Tk 21.11 crore swindled to the controversial business group.

Abdus Salam, executive officer of Ruposhi Bangla Corporate Branch of the state-run bank, filed the cases with the Artho Rin Adalat-1 (Money Loan Court), Dhaka.

The defendants are Hall-Mark Chairman Jasmine Islam, MD Tanvir Mahmud, Hall-Mark Fashions Ltd, Hall-Mark Style Ltd and Hall-Mark Accessories Ltd.

After the hearing, Judge Mohammad Robiuzzaman issued summons to the defendants asking them to explain by May 4 against the cases filed for realizing the money.

On Tuesday, Sonali Bank Limited filed six other cases against the same persons with the same court for realising Tk 41 crore more.

The companies are Hall-Mark Packaging Ltd, Hall-Mark Benim Composite Ltd, Hall-Mark knitting and Dying Ltd and Hall-Mark Zisan Composite Ltd.    

The court issued summons to the same defendants to explain by April 30.

Hall-Mark alone took away Tk 2,686 crore from Sonali's Ruposhi Bangla branch on forged documents between 2010 and 2012. The scam shook the entire country in May 2012 when it came to the surface.

The Anti Corruption Commission filed 11 cases against 27 persons tied to Hall-Mark and its lender Sonali Bank on October 4 of 2012.

The graft watchdog on October 7 last year pressed charges against 25 of them. Of the accused, seven including Tanvir are now behind bars while Jasmine is on bail.

Seventeen others have been absconding. The court issued arrest warrants against them.