HC orders arrest of ex- MD of NRB Global Bank and Reliance Finance PK Halder

The High Court directed law enforcement agencies to arrest alleged money launderer Proshanta Kumar Halder on his return from abroad.

A bench comprising Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar passed the order on Wednesday.

Halder reportedly laundered Tk 10,200 crore from some non-banking financial institutions (NBFI).

The irregularities of Halder came to the light during anti-casino drives last year prompting ACC to investigate involvement of Halder and 42 others in the illegal gambling business.

The government issued a travel ban on Halder on October 3 last year but he managed to flee.

The HC directed Inspector General of Police and immigration authorities to allow return of Proshanta Kumar Halder, former managing director of NRB Global Bank and Reliance Finance.

PK Halder has been asked to refund the money to the organisations from which he embezzled the money, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan.

The order was induced by a petition filed by International Leasing and Financial Services (ILFSL) seeking necessary directives on this issue.

PK Halder has earlier wanted to return home and refund the money he embezzled.

In August, Halder wrote to ILFSL that he would return home and settle liabilities with the firm subject to proper security.

Appearing for ILFSL, counsel Mahfuzur Rahman Milon filed an application along with the letter with the HC on September 7, seeking directive in this regard.

The HC on the day ordered the firm to inform it when Halder would return to Bangladesh for settling his liabilities with the firm.

Halder is now reportedly staying in Toronto being director of P&L Hal Holding Inc, a Canadian corporation.

Apart from ILFSL, PK Halder allegedly embezzled crores of taka from People's Leasing and Financial Services, FAS Finance and Investment, and Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company.

An investigation by Bangladesh Bank shows that Tk 1,596 crore was transferred from ILFSL in violation of the rules through 48 accounts related to the directors and shareholders of the firm.

The ACC on January 8 filed a case against Halder on charges of illegally amassing wealth worth Tk 275 crore.

The HC on January 21 directed the Bangladesh Bank and all private banks to freeze the accounts of Halder, his five relatives, Bank Asia's former managing director Erfan Udidn Ahmed and Halder's aide Uzzal Kumar Nondi for allegedly misappropriating funds.

The HC ordered the government to seize the passports of 20 people, including Halder, his wife Susmita Saha and his brother Pritish Kumar Halder.

The court also asked the authorities not to allow transfer of any of their movable and immovable properties, including stock, cash and cars, to any persons or entities until the disposal of the case.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state while Mahfuzur Rahman Milon appeared for ILFSL