A Chittagong court has handed down sentences to five individuals, including a former bank official, in connection with a high-profile cash theft involving a bag containing over 5 million taka. The verdict was delivered this Sunday afternoon by Judge Md. Mizanur Rahman of the Chittagong Divisional Special Judge Court.
According to Rezoul Karim, legal counsel for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the court sentenced Vijay Kumar Das, former driver of the CDA Corporate Branch of Pubali Bank in Chittagong, to life imprisonment. He was also fined 10 lakh taka, with an additional 10,000 taka to be imposed if the fine is not paid.
Four other accused—Rajibur Rahman, former junior officer-cash; Md. Ashiqur Rahman, security guard; Tanjur Rahman; and Majharul Islam—received 10-year prison terms each, alongside a 10 lakh taka fine, with an additional 10-year prison term in default of payment. All accused were present during the verdict and were subsequently sent to jail.
Incident Background
The theft took place on 11 February 2016, when junior officer Rajibur Rahman transported 50.5 lakh taka from the Sheikh Mujibur Road branch of Chittagong, accompanied by three security personnel, to the Sitakunda branch. From there, he collected an additional 81 lakh taka, intending to deliver it to the CDA Corporate Branch in Chittagong city. Shortly afterward, Rahman contacted the branch to report that one bag containing 5.5 million taka was missing from the vehicle.
Following this incident, Toufiqul Rahman, former assistant general manager of the CDA Corporate Branch, filed a case at Sitakunda Police Station. Police investigations led to the filing of charges against all five accused. The court framed charges on 16 May 2022, and after hearing testimony from seven witnesses, the verdict was pronounced.
Sentencing Summary
| Accused Name | Position/Role | Sentence | Fine | Additional Penalty if Fine Unpaid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vijay Kumar Das | Former Driver, CDA Corporate | Life Imprisonment | 10 lakh Taka | 10,000 Taka additional |
| Rajibur Rahman | Former Junior Officer-Cash | 10 years | 10 lakh Taka | 10 years additional |
| Md. Ashiqur Rahman | Security Guard | 10 years | 10 lakh Taka | 10 years additional |
| Tanjur Rahman | Security Personnel | 10 years | 10 lakh Taka | 10 years additional |
| Majharul Islam | Security Personnel | 10 years | 10 lakh Taka | 10 years additional |
The case highlights significant vulnerabilities in bank cash transport procedures and underscores the importance of strengthened security protocols, especially for high-value transfers between branches.
The verdict serves as a stern warning against internal collusion and embezzlement within banking institutions, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to upholding financial integrity.