Fraud case filed against Ananta Knitwear MD and UCB chairman Sharif Zahir along with three others
Other accused in the case include Ananta Knitwear’s Deputy Managing Director Asif Zahir, Chief Operating Officer Syed Monir, and Assistant General Manager Mahmudul Hasan
Dhaka police have registered a fraud case against four individuals, including Ananta Knitwear Limited's Managing Director and United Commercial Bank (UCB) Chairman Sharif Zahir.
The complaint was filed today (4 December) at the office of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Md Zakir Hossain, by Md Ali Azgar Khan Mojahedi, business coordinator of the construction firm Saad 360-D Engineers and Architects. The court recorded the complainant's statement and directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to probe the matter and submit a report.
Other accused in the case include Ananta Knitwear's Deputy Managing Director Asif Zahir, Chief Operating Officer Syed Monir, and Assistant General Manager Mahmudul Hasan. The complainant's lawyer, Sejuti Ghosh, confirmed the filing of the case.
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According to the complaint, Saad 360-D Engineers and Architects entered into a bilateral contract on 19 May to construct a factory shed, office building, and internal roads for Ananta Knitwear's project in Shibpur, Narsingdi. Work commenced as per the agreed design. However, on 31 October at 11:16pm, Syed Monir sent an email instructing the complainant to halt construction the following day.
Unaware of the late-night email, the complainant's workers arrived on site the next day, only to be denied entry by the accused's staff. Subsequently, the complainant's team was barred from continuing the work. Around Tk1 crore worth of materials and machinery on-site were also withheld by the accused.
The complainant further alleged that Tk1,89,64,725 crore previously due to his company remained unpaid. Despite sending legal notices demanding payment and the return of equipment and materials, the accused have failed to comply, prompting the fraud case.
Md Ali Azgar Khan Mojahedi told reporters, "Although the Ananta Knitwear officials have promised to release our materials and machinery, our workers are still denied access. The accused are attempting to fraudulently seize our property and dues, leaving us no choice but to approach the court."
