Developed countries come to our country and talk big. But if our country's money is smuggled into their country, they do not help us to return it. The Bangladesh government should take an effective role in this regard. Why won't they refund our money? Why not?
The judge made this comment while announcing the verdict of 14 accused including the managing director of People's Leasing and Financial Services Limited, Prashant Kumar Halder alias PK Halder, on charges of illegal wealth acquisition and money laundering.
The court sentenced PK Halder to 22 years in prison. Another 13 accused have been sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Judge Mohammad Nazrul Islam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-10 announced the verdict on Sunday (October 8). In addition to imprisonment, each of them has been fined in various amounts.
In observing the verdict, the court said that PK Halder is a boy of a middle-class family in Dighirjan village of Nazirpur upazila of Pirojpur district. Instead of contributing to the development of the country, the brilliant student of BUET got addicted to making their own wealth. In order to acquire illegal wealth, the accused Prashant Kumar Halder, with the help of his mother and his brother, along with his close friends, set up numerous companies under various fake names.
The court also said that a talented citizen can play a role in nation building by using his talent, on the other hand, if they get involved in crime, it becomes dangerous for the nation. Accused Prashant Kumar Halder is a case in point. People become blind to self-interest. For accused Prashant Kumar Halder, his own interest was much bigger than the interest of the country. Let us not become accomplices of moneylenders for our own petty personal interests.
While pronouncing the judgment, the judge said in his personal observation that the government can take steps to bring back the money laundered. I asked the prosecution during the trial of the case, whether there is any update on the request to return the smuggled money. But could not give any update. The government should take an effective role in this regard. Why won't they refund the money? Why not? Developed countries come to our country and talk big. However, if our country's money is smuggled into their country, they do not help us to return it. If they do not cooperate, it will not be possible for the government alone to prevent it. They also have to play a positive role.