Teacher tortured inside Islami Bank branch in Khulna over alleged embezzlement of father’s agent banking funds
Following a case filed over the incident, police have arrested three bank officials identified as Ashiq, Mizan and Mamun, all employees of Islami Bank’s Fultala branch
A school teacher was brutally assaulted inside the storeroom of Islami Bank's Fultala branch in Khulna, by bank officials, who blindfolded him and beat him with a hammer before attempting to pull out his nails with pliers.
The victim is currently undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital.
Following a case filed over the incident, police have arrested three bank officials identified as Ashiq, Mizan and Mamun, all employees of Islami Bank's Fultala branch.
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The victim, 35-year-old Saifullah Hajeri, is a teacher at Belepukur Secondary School in Fultala upazila. His father, AHM Shafiullah Hajeri, is the proprietor of an Islami Bank agent outlet, Messrs Hajeri Enterprise.
Saifullah claimed he was blindfolded and taken to a storeroom where 4-5 bank officials beat his feet and knees with a hammer.
"They also tried to pull out my nails with pliers and forced me to sign stamps, cheques, and blank papers," he alleged.
Police sources said the incident is linked to an embezzlement case involving around Tk40 lakh, which was reportedly misappropriated from the agent banking outlet by Cash-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman and Marketing Officer Monirul Gazi.
A central investigation committee was formed by the bank following the incident. Saifullah was allegedly tortured after being called to the branch on Tuesday afternoon (22 July).
After the attack, senior officials from the bank's zonal office and the branch manager visited Saifullah in the hospital.
Initially, there was an attempt to suppress the incident, but police intervention ensured that a case was filed.
"Saifullah's uncle filed a case with us over the torture inside the bank. We have already arrested three bank officials - Ashiq, Mizan and Mamun. The investigation is ongoing," said Fultala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Zillal Hossain.
However, Islami Bank's Fultala branch manager Anisur Rahman said, "I was not present at the bank when the incident occurred. An investigation is underway, and action will be taken if anyone is found involved."
