Evaly bosses face travel ban as ACC enquires money laundering charges
bKash has suspended its payment services with 10 online merchants, including Evaly, citing protection of customers' interest
The Anti-Corruption Commission is enquiring into allegations of embezzlement and laundering of Tk342 crore against online marketplace Evaly's Chairman Shamima Nasrin and Managing Director Mohammad Rassel.
The anti-graft watchdog sought a court order to bar them from travelling abroad out of fears that the duo might flee the country, which might hamper the enquiry process.
In response, a Dhaka court slapped a travel ban on the couple.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge KM Imrul Kayes passed the order on Thursday, said Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir on Saturday.
Besides, bKash on Saturday suspended its payment services with 10 online merchants, including Evaly, citing protection of customers' interest as a cause.
The other merchants are Alesha Mart, Dhamaka Shopping, E-orange, Sirajgonj Shop, Aladinerprodip, Qcoom, BoomBoom Shopping, Adyan Mart, and Needs.
In a statement published on its website, bKash said it would resume transactions with the 10 companies when the payment system with them would be implemented in compliance with the regulatory guidelines issued by the Bangladesh Bank.
- Evaly...reckless or clever?
- ACC launches probe against Evaly
- Brands refuse to accept Evaly's gift vouchers
- e-Cab to suspend Evaly's membership
On 9 July, the ACC banned Shamima and Rassel from leaving the country as part of an investigation into allegations of embezzlement and smuggling of Tk338.62 crore.
Speaking about the court order, ACC's Mahmud told reporters, "When the ACC found out that they [Shamima and Rassel] could flee the country, it took action."
"Courts with full jurisdiction were not open then. So, the ban was issued on Thursday by a court with competent jurisdiction," he added.
Office closure angers customers
Evaly has closed its office in Dhanmondi despite the government lifting the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
But Rassel denied the closure, saying his company had switched to work-from-home arrangements.
Customers are repeatedly visiting the office as they have various complaints and queries.
On social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, a large number of netizens expressed their anger at the abrupt closure of Evaly's customer care services on the company's official page and other related groups.
Customers also expressed suspicions of fraud as the e-commerce platform's customer care hotlines mostly remain out of service.
Most of the customers, despite paying on multiple occasions, are yet to receive any product or refund from Evaly.
On Wednesday, the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) reportedly considered suspending Evaly's membership for allegedly cheating customers and merchants. It sent a show-cause letter to the company.
On the same day, various popular brands, such as Trendz, Rang Bangladesh, Artisan Outfitters, Fit Elegance, and Rio International, decided not to allow the redeeming of Evaly's gift vouchers for not getting payments from the e-commerce company.
According to an inspection report of the central bank, Evaly's liabilities to customers and merchants have risen to Tk403.8 crore while its current asset is only Tk65.17 crore.
It said till 14 March this year, Evaly did not deliver products against a cumulative sum of Tk213.94 crore in advance payments made by customers.
Earlier this month, the commerce ministry instructed the home ministry to file a case against Evaly for allegedly embezzling payments taken in advance from customers and money owed to merchants.
