Dr. Abul Barkat, a prominent economist and former chairman of Janata Bank, has been sent to jail today in connection with a Tk297 crore embezzlement case involving Anontex Group. The order was issued by Judge Md Jewel Rana of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court following a hearing this afternoon.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) produced Dr. Barkat before the court, requesting his continued detention on grounds that he might abscond or influence witnesses, thereby disrupting the ongoing investigation. Despite arguments for bail from defence lawyers, the court rejected the petition and ordered his imprisonment.
ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Shahjahan Miraj confirmed that a three-day remand had been sought for further interrogation, but the current court lacked the jurisdiction to rule on the remand petition. A hearing for the remand will be held at a senior court at a later date.
Dr. Barkat was arrested last night (10 July) around 11:30 PM from Dhanmondi Road 3 in the capital by the Detective Branch (DB) of police.
The case, filed by the ACC on 20 February this year, alleges that Dr. Barkat and 22 other individuals, including former Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman, conspired to misappropriate Tk297.38 crore. The ACC claims the funds were embezzled through fraudulent loans disbursed by Janata Bank to 22 companies under the Anontex Group. Allegations include manipulation of documents, forgery, and falsely portraying non-existent buildings on mortgaged land to secure loans even before property acquisition.
Other notable accused in the case include former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank Abu Hena Mohammad Razi Hasan, and several former directors and officials of Janata Bank.
Dr. Abul Barkat is also a former chairman of the Economics Department at Dhaka University and the honorary chief adviser of the Human Development Research Centre (HDRC).
