HC orders PK Halder, 128 others to appear

The High Court has ordered fugitive former NBR Global Bank managing director Prashanta Kumar Halder and 128 others to appear on May 24 and 25 to clarify their positions in swindling money from various organisations, including leasing companies.

On Wednesday, a Division Bench comprising Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar released copy of an order which was actually passed on March 16, following a writ petition filed by aggrieved International Leasing and Financial Services Limited (ILFSL).

The HC issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why swindler individuals and organisations will not pay back the money.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has to answer as to why it will not play a leading role in this regard.

The persons and organisations concerned have been asked to submit reply to the rule within two weeks.

The HC will hold further hearing on the matter on May 24 and 25.

Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milon appeared for ILFSL.

In fact, PK Halder and others have swindled money from various organisations including People's Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (PLFSL). They laundered the money and fled abroad to avoid any repercussion.

Earlier, on February 25, the HC said defaulters must pay the due installments first and they will then get opportunity to bargain and negotiate with the liquidator of PLFSL. The persons who fail to do so will be taken into custody, the HC said.

The HC bench made the observations while hearing a petition filed by Bangladesh Bank in 2019 seeking permission to liquidate PLFSL.

Liquidation process began after the board of PLFSL informed the central bank in April 2019 of inability to pay back the depositors' money despite the maturity of the deposits.