Police have detained Atiar Rahman Dipu and his wife, Papia Rahman, directors of M/s Sasko Tex (BD) Limited, who are accused of defaulting on loans worth nearly BDT 1.64 billion from Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC. The arrest took place on Saturday night in the Mirpur Pallabi DOHS area of Dhaka, ending a prolonged period during which the couple had been evading law enforcement.
Following their arrest, the couple was presented in court on Sunday. The magistrate rejected their bail applications and ordered them to be remanded to jail. Their legal troubles stem from ten criminal cases filed by the bank, of which eight cases carry sentences ranging from one to eight years, and the remaining two cases impose three to six months’ imprisonment, amounting to a total of eight years and six months.
In addition, a cheque-related case has resulted in a fine of BDT 800 million, reflecting the monetary value of the dishonoured instruments.
Bank officials and legal observers have hailed the swift police action and court ruling as a strong message against financial misconduct in Bangladesh. The case highlights the accountability of high-profile defaulters and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the banking system from fraudulent practices. Analysts suggest that the case will serve as a benchmark for future enforcement against loan defaulters, reinforcing public trust in financial institutions and ensuring that long-standing absconding cases are pursued to their legal conclusion.