Freedom fighter, Prominent economist, and former chairman of Janata Bank, Abul Barakat, has been arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of the police.

The arrest took place late Thursday night (July 10) from his residence in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

The Deputy Commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Nasirul Islam, confirmed this information.

It is known that he was arrested in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh.

In August, when the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge of the country, the ACC filed a case on February 25 this year regarding the embezzlement of BDT 2.97 billion by AnanTex through loan fraud at Janata Bank. Abul Barakat, a professor of economics at Dhaka University, was named as an accused in this case. Alongside him, former Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman and former Janata Bank Director Jamal Uddin Ahmed were also named as accused. A total of 23 individuals, including officials of AnanTex, were named in the case.

Professor Dr. Abul Barakat is a former chairman of the Economics Department at Dhaka University. In 2009, he served as the chairman of the state-owned Janata Bank Limited. After serving two terms for five years as the chairman of Janata Bank, he stepped down in September 2014. He also served as the president of the Bangladesh Economic Association.

Abul Barakat has over 600 research works to his name. He has authored 24 research books, 119 journal articles (including chapters in research books), 221 research monographs, and presented 234 research papers at national and international conferences. Additionally, he has delivered 10 public lectures and memorial lectures.