Rangamati, Nov 23 (V7N) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has conducted a raid at the Bangladesh Krishi Bank branch in Langadu upazila of Rangamati following allegations of large-scale fraud involving agricultural and SME loans. The operation took place on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to noon and was led by Md. Ahmad Farhad Hossain, Assistant Director of the ACC’s Rangamati Integrated Office. Assistant Director Raju Ahmed, Deputy Assistant Director Md. Borhan Uddin, and Assistant Inspector Mohammad Abu Sadeq were also present as part of the enforcement team.

According to local sources, more than a hundred marginal and impoverished farmers of Langadu were defrauded using forged national identity cards and falsified documents, enabling the withdrawal of over Tk 1 crore in loans from the bank. Allegations indicate that Kabir, General Secretary of the Krishak League; Hashem, General Secretary of the Swechchhasebak League; and Shukkur Ali, a member of the Union Awami League, colluded with several corrupt bank officials to commit the fraud.

The complaint states that copies of voter ID cards and photographs of hundreds of farmers in Atarkchara Union were collected under the guise of providing agricultural incentives. Loans worth Tk 35,000 to 40,000 were issued in each farmer’s name, but they received only Tk 2,000, while the rest of the money was embezzled. The accused individuals then fled the area. The outstanding loan amounts have now reportedly reached nearly Tk 1 crore.

Farmers became aware of the fraud only after receiving repayment notices from the bank. They were shocked to learn that loans ranging from Tk 80,000 to Tk 100,000, including interest, had been issued in their names without their knowledge. Following widespread media reports on the issue, the ACC took the matter into consideration and initiated action.

Victims allege that the former bank manager, Beethon Chakma, was directly involved in the scam. They claim that under his supervision, trusted intermediaries prepared fake ID cards and documents, enabling the approval and disbursement of large loans in the names of Krishak League leaders. The withdrawn funds were then reportedly divided among those involved.

Following Sunday’s operation, ACC officials collected relevant documents and launched a formal investigation. According to ACC sources, strict legal actions will be taken against all individuals responsible for the fraud.

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