Uncertainty looms over PK Halder’s return

The return of Prashanta Kumar Halder alias PK Halder to the country has become uncertain after a High Court bench recently ordered his arrest as soon as he returns.

The former managing director of International Leasing and Financial Services Limited (ILSFL) and NRB Global Bank is scheduled to return on October 25.

He allegedly fled the country siphoning off at least Tk11,000 crore, after destroying several non-banking financial institutions in association with his accomplices.

Sources close to him claimed he would return to the country in time.

They said he resorted to the court for security reasons. Now, he will return as per the court order.

Sources concerned said a number of his accomplices are active to prevent his return, as they fear that the facilities they took illegally from him would be revealed once he returns, and their names would be disclosed.

Due to their activities, uncertainty has been created over his return .

PK Halder himself did not respond when this correspondent tried to reach him over the phone.

Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milon, who moved the court on behalf of ILSFL seeking safe return of PK Halder, was not available also at his office. He did not pick up his phone after this correspondent tried repeatedly to reach him on Thursday. 

No top ILSFL official agreed to make any comment over the issue.

Earlier on Wednesday, an HC bench, consisting of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarker alone, passed an order instructing the authorities concerned to arrest PK Halder just after his return to the country and produce him before the related court.

The court ordered Inspector General of Police, Immigration authorities and Anti-Corruption Commission to take necessary steps to execute its order.

According to lawyers, PK Halder is scheduled to return through an Emirates flight at 8:10am on Sunday.

Police and ACC sources said they are ready to execute the court order if he returns.

According to sources, PK Haldar, the alleged mastermind behind one of the biggest financial scam in the country's history, fled the country in October last year, despite a travel ban imposed by the ACC.

He, however, reportedly expressed his interest to return the embezzled money after ILSFL contacted him several months ago. ILSFL lawyers then filed a petition with the High Court, seeking assurance that he would not be arrested or harassed after his return.

After hearing, the court passed its order over the petition on Wednesday, instructing the authorities concerned to arrest him immediately after his return.

The ACC is investigating the allegations against PK Haldar. According to their investigation, he has embezzled at least Tk11,000 crore from various organisations and financial institutions. According to the ACC sources, the amount of embezzled money may increase further.

Among the institutions, he and his accomplices misappropriated around Tk3,500 crore from ILSFL, Tk2,200 crore from FAS Finance, Tk2,500 crore from Reliance Finance and around Tk3,000 crore from People's Leasing.

It goes without saying that there is no mortgage against all these amounts of money taken in the name of loan.

As a result, the ACC says, there is almost no chance of repaying the loans.

Apart from these, PK Halder has shiphoned money to Canada, Singapore and India worth Tk1,000 crore, the ACC investigation has also revealed.

Meanwhile, On January 8 last, the ACC filed a case against PK Halder over amassing Tk275 crore illegal wealth. Investigation over the charge is ongoing.