ACC scraps probe into non-funded part

The Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) has revoked its ongoing probe into the non-funded part of the much-talked-about Sonali Bank loan scam, as the anti-graft body found it out of its jurisdiction.
"Sonali Bank and Bangladesh Bank will conduct probes in the issue as the non-funded part of the loan scam is out of our (ACC) jurisdiction," ACC Chairman M Badiuzzaman told UNB.
Hall-Mark Group swindled out a total of Tk 35.47 billion from the Sonali Bank-both funded and non-funded ones.
The controversial group swindled out Tk 15.68 billion from the bank's Ruposhi Bangla branch in cash while it plundered Tk 17.09 billion from different private banks showing clearance of the Sonali Bank.
On April 7 this year, the ACC sent letters to Managing Director of Sonali Bank Pradip Kumar Dutta and the manager of the bank's Ruposhi Bangla Hotel branch asking them to initiate inquiries into the non-funded part of the loan scam as the Commission has already decided not to continue its probe, the sources at the Commission said.
In the non-funded part, Hall-Mark Group plundered Tk 17.09 billion from 37 commercial banks -- 25 private banks, five foreign banks and seven government banks.
ACC Chairman M Badiuzzaman said as bank-to-bank interaction took place in disbursing loans to the Hall-Mark Group, they (Sonali Bank and Bangladesh Bank) will conduct the inquires.