Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has put forth a recommendation to initiate legal proceedings against Arif Hasan, the Managing Director of Desh Television Ltd., along with 14 other individuals, on charges of money embezzlement through fraudulent bank loans. The funds were allegedly redirected to sectors unrelated to the original loan purposes.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam disclosed this information during a press briefing at the ACC headquarters. The accused include key figures such as Broadway Real Estate Ltd Managing Director Mohammad Sharif Uzzaman Khan, Chairman Mohammad Ismail, and several directors of the company. Also implicated are former high-ranking officials of National Bank Ltd, including Syed Rois Uddin, ASM Bulbul, MA Wadud, and others from the Sikder family.
The fraudulent activity reportedly involved the creation of a development company named ‘Broadway Real Estate Limited,’ backed by falsified documents from Desh TV employees. This entity applied for a loan of Taka 490 crore from the National Bank Ltd, Mohakhali branch, ostensibly to construct a 16-storey commercial building. However, the loan was sanctioned and withdrawn with the assistance of corrupt bank officials, and the funds were subsequently misappropriated.
The ACC states that this scheme led to a financial loss of Taka 178 crore, 89 lakh, 11 thousand, and 412, attributed to unpaid interest and additional charges as of November 30.