The Anti Corruption Commission on Tuesday filed a petition with the High Court challenging a lower court order grating bail to controversial Hall-Mark Group chairman Jesmin Islam in one of the 11 cases filed against her. ACC lawyer Kurshid Alam Khan said the petition challenged the bail granted to Jesmin in the case No-08(10)12 filed with Ramna Police Station. He also said appeals will be moved on Wednesday challenging the lower court bail in 10 other cases. On August 4, a Dhaka court granted bail to the Hall-Mark Group chairman subject to repayment of Tk 100 crore per month until their outstanding loan payment of Tk 2,600 crore is completed. On February 7, Judge Zahurul Haque had granted bail to Jesmin, arrested on October last year in connection with the much-talked-about Hall-Mark loan scam. Responding to a writ petition, the High Court on February 11 issued a rule upon the government to explain why Jesmin’s bail would not be cancelled and asked the government to take necessary measures so that she cannot leave the country. On February 13, the HC summoned the designated Judge to explain his order granting bail to accused Jesmin. Later, the Judge recalled its bail order and ordered that she be sent to jail. On October 4 last year, the Anti Corruption Commission filed 11 cases against seven people of Hall-Mark Group and a dozen officials of Sonali Bank for swindling out Tk 2600 crore from the Ruposhi Bangla branch of state-run Sonali Bank. Several Hall-Mark officials, including its Managing Director Tanvir Mahmud, husband of Jesmin, are now in custody in connection with the Hall-Mark scandal. (Source: UNB)
