A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of Dr. Abul Barakat, former professor of Dhaka University and ex-chairman of Janata Bank, in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 297.38 crore.
On Wednesday (July 23), Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib passed the order, also directing that the case be transferred to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court for a hearing on the ACC’s remand plea.
Dr. Barakat was brought to court at 10:40 AM and produced before the judge at 11:07 AM, where he appeared visibly anxious while sitting in the dock.
During the hearing, his lawyer Advocate Md. Shahinur Islam argued that the loan in question was processed lawfully in 2013 for Suprabha Spinning Mills, a concern of the AnonTex Group. He stated the loan was granted following Bangladesh Bank guidelines, and Dr. Barakat had neither breached any policies nor acted negligently.
The defense also claimed that the ACC had previously investigated the matter and cleared it of wrongdoing, labeling the current case a form of “double standard.” The lawyer urged the court to grant bail, saying the allegations lacked merit.
Opposing the bail, ACC Prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir argued that as chairman of Janata Bank, Barakat was ultimately responsible for any misconduct under his leadership. He added that the former Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman had also been made an accused due to his alleged involvement.
After hearing both sides, the court denied bail and ordered the case to be forwarded to the CMM Court for a three-day remand hearing. Barakat was then taken back to the court’s lock-up.
According to the ACC’s case filed on February 20, a total of 23 individuals, including Barkat and Atiur Rahman, were accused of embezzling over Tk 297 crore by approving fraudulent loans to 22 subsidiaries of AnonTex Group. The allegations involve forged documentation and collusion for unlawful loan disbursement.
Dr. Barkat was arrested on July 10 from his Dhanmondi residence by the Detective Branch and sent to jail the following day.
