Sonali Bank had transferred the General Manager the day before the audit team he had constituted began looking into the papers in the Hallmark scam.
Two other officials were also transferred for the same reason.
The bank's former General Manager (International Trade and Commerce) ANM Masroor-ul-Huda Seraji told reporters about the punishment after he was quizzed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday.
"I got a report on this financial transaction on January 1 last after I was appointed GM for International Trade and Commerce Department of the bank. Later I constituted the audit team on my own, which invited pressures on me from all around," said Siraji.
Siraji, who is currently acting as GM for the bank's Rangpur Division, was transferred to Sylhet, a day before the audit team began its probe. He was transferred twice later, to Comilla and Rangpur.
Asked if he faced difficulties in constituting the audit team, Siraji said, "I cannot divulge any information regarding this matter in the interest of a fair investigation. However, two other people other than me were also transferred in connection with the same matter."
Besides Siraji, ACC also questioned five other senior Sonali Bank officials over the scandal that involves misappropriation of over Tk 36 billion disbursed from the bank's Ruposhi Bangla Hotel Branch.
The other quizzed are General Managers Nowsher Ali, Md Abu Musa and Mohammad Mahbubul Haque, and Deputy General Managers Sheikh Altaf Hossain and Shafiuddin Ahmed.
Haq told reporters, "I had gone on LPR when the incident happened. I am in no way involved with the incident."
Musa termed the scam "unusual" and "undesirable' and demanded a proper investigation.
The ACC earlier questioned 23 other officials of the bank over the scandal. It has also decided to question Prime Minister's Health and Family Affairs Advisor Syed Modasser Ali over the scandal.
Four other officials of the banks are expected to be interrogated on Monday.
The central bank recently revealed that more than Tk 36 billion were disbursed by the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel Branch of Sonali Bank, without notable collateral. Of the amount, Hallmark Group embezzled over Tk 26 billion alone.
Sonali Bank has suspended 20 officials while two Deputy Managing Directors have been made Officer on Special Duty.
After the scam broke out, the Bangladesh Bank proposed sacking the current Board of Directors of the largest commercial bank. Finance Minister AMA Muhith rebuked the central bank and the government reappointed the bank's Chairman Kazi Baharul Islam.
The BNP has been alleging involvement of government high-ups in the rip-off.
Two other officials were also transferred for the same reason.
The bank's former General Manager (International Trade and Commerce) ANM Masroor-ul-Huda Seraji told reporters about the punishment after he was quizzed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday.
"I got a report on this financial transaction on January 1 last after I was appointed GM for International Trade and Commerce Department of the bank. Later I constituted the audit team on my own, which invited pressures on me from all around," said Siraji.
Siraji, who is currently acting as GM for the bank's Rangpur Division, was transferred to Sylhet, a day before the audit team began its probe. He was transferred twice later, to Comilla and Rangpur.
Asked if he faced difficulties in constituting the audit team, Siraji said, "I cannot divulge any information regarding this matter in the interest of a fair investigation. However, two other people other than me were also transferred in connection with the same matter."
Besides Siraji, ACC also questioned five other senior Sonali Bank officials over the scandal that involves misappropriation of over Tk 36 billion disbursed from the bank's Ruposhi Bangla Hotel Branch.
The other quizzed are General Managers Nowsher Ali, Md Abu Musa and Mohammad Mahbubul Haque, and Deputy General Managers Sheikh Altaf Hossain and Shafiuddin Ahmed.
Haq told reporters, "I had gone on LPR when the incident happened. I am in no way involved with the incident."
Musa termed the scam "unusual" and "undesirable' and demanded a proper investigation.
The ACC earlier questioned 23 other officials of the bank over the scandal. It has also decided to question Prime Minister's Health and Family Affairs Advisor Syed Modasser Ali over the scandal.
Four other officials of the banks are expected to be interrogated on Monday.
The central bank recently revealed that more than Tk 36 billion were disbursed by the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel Branch of Sonali Bank, without notable collateral. Of the amount, Hallmark Group embezzled over Tk 26 billion alone.
Sonali Bank has suspended 20 officials while two Deputy Managing Directors have been made Officer on Special Duty.
After the scam broke out, the Bangladesh Bank proposed sacking the current Board of Directors of the largest commercial bank. Finance Minister AMA Muhith rebuked the central bank and the government reappointed the bank's Chairman Kazi Baharul Islam.
The BNP has been alleging involvement of government high-ups in the rip-off.
0 comments:
Post a Comment