Aramit AGM held for withdrawing Tk1.76cr using ex-minister Saifuzzaman's cheques
According to ACC, within the past week, Jahangir withdrew Tk1 crore from different branches of Islami Bank, Tk30 lakh from Janata Bank, Tk36 lakh from Sonali Bank, and Tk10 lakh from Meghna Bank.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has detained Aramit PLC's Assistant General Manager (AGM) Jahangir Alam on charges of withdrawing Tk1.76 crore using 11 cheques issued in the name of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, who is currently absconding abroad.
Jahangir Alam was detained in Chattogram today (24 September), confirmed ACC Deputy Director Mashiur Rahman.
"Original cheques bearing Saifuzzaman Chowdhury's signature were recovered from Jahangir Alam. He was detained for withdrawing large sums of money without the owner's authorisation during his absence," Mashiur said.
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According to ACC, within the past week, Jahangir withdrew Tk1 crore from different branches of Islami Bank, Tk30 lakh from Janata Bank, Tk36 lakh from Sonali Bank, and Tk10 lakh from Meghna Bank.
However, Jahangir claimed that the money was withdrawn to cover the legal expenses of two other arrested Aramit AGMs, Abdul Aziz and Utpal Pal.
The ACC official said that the anti-graft body suspects the withdrawals may be linked to alleged embezzlement or money laundering.
Earlier on 24 July, the ACC filed a case against 31 individuals, including former minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, his wife Rukhmila Zaman, family members, and several Aramit officials, on charges of laundering Tk25 crore abroad.
In that case, the accused Abdul Aziz has already been arrested, while Utpal Pal's name was later added to the list of suspects based on evidence.
Both Aziz and Utpal, who were arrested on 17 September, confessed during ACC interrogation that under Saifuzzaman's instructions, around Tk25 crore was laundered to the UK and other countries.
According to ACC investigations, a Tk25 crore loan was approved from United Commercial Bank (UCB), owned by the then land minister, which was later transferred to four shell companies' accounts under the same bank and siphoned overseas.
The transactions took place between 2019 and 2020, when Saifuzzaman was serving as land minister.
