A court has sent economist and former Janata Bank chairman Abul Barkat to jail in a loan fraud case over Tk 2.97 billion provided to the AnonTex Group.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jewel Rana issued the order on Friday based on a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), reports bdnews24.com.
Barkat was brought to the court on Friday afternoon by ACC Assistant Director and investigating official Mohammad Shahjahan Miraz and was kept in the lock-up around 2:30pm.
Around 2:50pm, he was brought to the court dock and sat on a bench. His daughter and other family members were next to him. Barkat occasionally took his grandson in his lap. He was also seen speaking to others.
The court began the proceedings at 3:35pm.
ACC Prosecutor Rezaul Karim told the court, "In the case of embezzling Tk 2.97 billion, the investigating officer has petitioned for him to be remanded to police custody for three days of questioning. I pray that his remand be granted."
On behalf of Barkat, his lawyer Abdul Awal opposed the remand petition and applied for bail.
During the hearing, he said, "He (Barkat) is an old, sick man. His physical condition is very poor, and the case regarding this was settled in 2022. This year, a case has come up again on the same matter. I pray that the remand be cancelled. If necessary, he should be questioned at the jail gate."
The lawyer also applied for division privileges for Barkat.
The ACC prosecutor then told the court that it did not have the jurisdiction to hear bail or remand petitions in such cases and that such matters can be raised in the Metropolitan Sessions Special Judge Court.
At that time, the judge asked: "Then why did you come here?"
The ACC lawyer could not give a proper answer to the question.
Later, the court ordered Barkat to be sent to jail.
When asked why the ACC came to this court even though it did not have jurisdiction to hear bail and remand petitions, Karim said: "We thought the court would give this order on its own initiative. But when it was giving the order, we mentioned the matter to the court. The court has sent the accused to jail. The remand and bail petitions will be heard later in the Metro Sessions Special Judge Court."
The ACC`s remand application said, "The case is related to embezzlement and forgery. It is necessary to take the accused on remand and interrogate him to find out whether anyone else is involved."
After the hearing, Barkat was taken from the court to the jail around 3:50pm. When asked by reporters, he said, "Be well. I am a teacher."
Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) police arrested Barkat from his home on Road No. 3 in Dhanmondi on Thursday night.
