UNB, Dhaka

A court here on Sunday framed charges against 25 people, including Hallmark Group managing director Tanvir Mahmud and its chairman Jesmin Islam, in nine separate cases filed in connection with much-talked-about Sonali Bank loan scam.

Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge M Kamrul Hossain fixed April 21 for starting the trial of the case.

The court also transferred the cases to Dhaka Special Court-1 for trial proceedings.

Of the accused, Hall Mark group chairman Jesmin Islam are now out on bail while six others — Hallmark managing director Tanvir Mahmud, its general manager Tushar Ahmed and Sonali Bank’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotel branch general manager Mir Mahidur Rahman — are in jail.

Besides, another accused, Sonali Bank’s former deputy general manager Azizur Rahman, died in jail.

The court also issued warrants for the arrest of the fugitives.

On February 17, 2016, a Dhaka court framed charges against 19 people, including Tanvir Mahmud and Jesmin Islam, in separate cases filed in connection with Sonali Bank loan scam.

Dhaka’s Special Judge Kamrul Hossain passed the order and fixed March 3 for staring the trial.

On October 7, 2013, the Anti Corruption Commission submitted charge sheet against 27 people in 11 cases.

On October 4, 2012, the ACC filed 11 cases against 27 people, including 20 officials of Sonali Bank, with the Ramna Police Station on charges of swindling Tk 1,568 crore from the Ruposhi Bangla branch of the state-owned bank, showing fake documents.