Graft Case: Three businessmen denied bail

The High Court yesterday rejected the bail petitions of three businessmen in connection with a corruption case filed over misappropriating Tk 12.85 crore from Pubali Bank's Chawkbazar Branch in Chattogram.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam passed the order after hearing the petitions filed by the trio seeking anticipatory bail.

The court also directed them to surrender before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court in Chattogram within two weeks.

The accused are: Md Elias, owner of M/S SM Traders, Abu Syed, owner of Sajeda Enterprise, and Sheikh Mohammad Obaidullah, owner of M/S Meem Trade International.

On January 13, Pubali Bank authorities filed the case with Chawkbazar Police Station in the port city, accusing five persons including the trio and two bank officials, for misappropriating Tk 12.85 crore from the bank, said Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik.

The three accused Elias, Syed and Obaidullah appeared before the HC bench yesterday seeking anticipatory bail in the case.

Advocate Momtaz Uddin Ahmed Mehedi appeared for the petitioners while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan argued for the Anti-Corruption Commission.