muktodesh desk:Twelve members of the International Gateway Operators Forum (IOF) were granted bail on Monday in a case filed over the embezzlement of Tk 568 crore from the Market Development Fund (MDF) of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman granted them bail after the 12 accused surrendered to the court around 2:30pm.
The accused are members of the executive committee of the IOF, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s private industries and investment adviser, Salman F Rahman.
They are Syed Moinul Haque, retired Brigadier General Md Abdul Hannan, Ashik Ahmed, Gazi Md Salahuddin, Hafizur Rahman, Khalid Islam, Md Mahtabul Amin, Sohel Sharif, Tajin Alam, Nadir Shah Qureshi, Mir Nasir Hossain, and Musfiq Monzur.
BTRC Senior Assistant Director Toufiqul Islam filed the case at Gulshan Police Station on September 18, accusing 27 individuals, including Salman F Rahman, his son Ahmed Sohel Fasihur Rahman, and Sayan F Rahman.
According to the case, the IOF executive committee members were allegedly involved in misappropriating funds collected under the Market Development Fund, intended for network development.
During the tenure of the ousted Awami League government, Salman F Rahman allegedly monopolized the international gateway sector for handling overseas calls. Under his direct leadership, the IOF syndicate was formed.
The case stated that, under Salman F Rahman’s instructions, IGW operators were required to deposit large sums monthly into Beximco Computers Limited, a company he owns. However, this company did not hold a license to operate IGW services.
