The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dilder Hossain Swapan Feni Correspondent

Though four and a half years have already been passed after the detection of embezzlement of depositors' money at Bangladesh Krishi Bank's GM Hat Branch under Fulgazi upazila in Feni, no step has yet been taken to resolve the matter. As a result, 21 officials and employees suspended for their alleged involvement in embezzlement of the amount of the bank have been passing their days through untold sufferings.

Depositors of the affected branch of the bank want that the real culprits must be brought to justice.

The Feni district of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has already filed a case accusing cashier Md Nurul Karim.

Bangladesh Krishi Bank and local sources said the incident was detected when no money was found in the account of a depositor after he went to the bank to draw money and deposited his cheque on January 6, 2004. When the matter came to the attention of the high officials and customers of the bank, the officials concerned carried out an inquiry and found the proof of embezzlement of some Tk 65 lakh against 133 accounts. Instantly, four managers, 10 officers and 7 employees of the bank were suspended. However, the matter has not been resolved though four and a half years have already been passed after the incident. As a result, 21 officials and employees suspended on charge of embezzlement of the amount have been passing their days through unbearable sufferings and anxiety.

Among the suspended staff, five officials-former managers Abul Hossain and Habib Ullah, officers Neaz Mahmud Khan, Rafiqullah and Swapan Kumar Dhar-- went on retirement from services. As the judgement in the case is yet to be given, they have not been receiving any financial benefits from the bank though they had received some benefits in the first year. As a result, they along with their families have been passing their days through untold sufferings. Many of the suspended officials and employees are now working at different branches of the bank. They are manager Fakhruddin, Kabir Ahmed (Choto Kabir), Kabir Ahmed (Boro Kabir), Habib Ullah and Abul Hossain. As they were suspended from the bank, they are not getting the full benefits including salary.

It is learnt that among the accused, AGM Firoze Bhuiyan, SPO Rafiqullah, SPO Swapan Kumar Dhar, SPO Shamsul Islam, LDC Uttam Kumar Debnath were primarily relieved of the case. LDC Ashraf Uddin's increment was stopped. The Feni district Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a case accusing cashier Md Nurul Karim.

On the other hand, the suspended officials and employees are now going through untold sufferings. Of them, five retired officials have also been deprived of their pensions as the case is now awaiting disposal. Sufferings of these officials and employees could have been resolved if the case against them was disposed of quickly.

When contacted, SMA Khaleque, Assistant General Manager of Regional Office, Feni said the case related to the embezzlement of bank's money is now pending with the higher authorities of the Bangladesh Krishi Bank.