Trial begins for ex-Somoy TV MD Ahmed Zubair over Tk2.33cr embezzlement

A Dhaka court today (10 September) framed charges against former Somoy TV managing director (MD) Ahmed Zubair in a case over the alleged embezzlement of Tk2.33 crore from the television channel and ordered his trial to begin.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman passed the order this afternoon, rejecting Zubair's plea seeking discharge from the case.

The court also fixed 10 November for recording witness statements, said Zubair's lawyer Saleh Uddin.

In a separate fraud and forgery case, lawyer Saleh also sought bail for Zubair before Metropolitan Magistrate Ishrat Jahan. The court rejected that plea as well.

According to the case documents, Tk2.33 crore was allegedly withdrawn from the company's funds without authorisation while Zubair was in charge of Somoy TV.

After he was relieved of his responsibilities, he was asked to return two company vehicles and the money, but allegedly refused to do so.

City Group, the owner of Somoy TV, also sent him a legal notice seeking the return of the assets, but he did not respond, according to the complaint.

On 5 May 2025, Somoy TV Senior Manager Syed Asaduzzaman filed the case. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) later submitted its investigation report to the court.

The case accuses Zubair and five others of fraud, breach of trust, and forgery. The other accused are Zubair's wife Shamima Sultana Chowdhury, daughter Saraf Nawar Joyita, son Ahmed Rafid Kader Rivu, Sheikh Mahmud Yasin and Sani Chowdhury.

The court had summoned the accused to appear on 17 June. As they failed to appear, it issued arrest warrants against them that day.

On 18 June, Zubair, Ahmed Rafid Kader Rivu, Sheikh Mahmud Yasin and Sani Chowdhury surrendered before the court and sought bail. The court granted bail to the three other accused but sent Zubair to jail.

He has remained in jail since then.