Second time unlucky

A small crime may become a gateway for bigger ones. The case of Siddikur Rahman illustrates this possibility.

On January 1, 2009, Siddikur applied for the data processing post at the National Credit and Commerce Bank (NCC).

His credentials were impressive. Attested copies of his educational documents showed he had gotten first division in SSC and HSC exams in 1997 and 1999 respectively from Domarakandi High and Government Yasin College in Faridpur.

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He also secured a first class in honors and a second class in masters in management from Government Rajendra College. 

He got the job and within a few years he was made a permanent staff and promoted to the post of officer.

Unbeknownst to his superiors, his credentials were fake. However, this would not be his downfall.

Having gotten away with his first crime, his second one, however, would not bear the same results. In 2015, six years after his posting, he was caught embezzling about Tk 9 crore from the bank by forging foreign remittance documents.

He was soon dismissed from the bank and the same year was arrested by Rapid Action Battalion from Kamlapur Railway Station in connection with the case.

Earlier this year, ACC issued a notice to Siddiqur to submit wealth statement. After scrutiny and inquiry into his wealth, ACC found that Siddiqur and his wife amassed about Tk 6 crore illegally.

Two other cases were filed against him with Motijheel and Ramna police stations for embezzling foreign remittance and concealing information in his wealth statement in 2015 and 2017 respectively.

“His [Siddiqur] actions grew more suspicious. I inquired about his educational qualifications and found he only passed SSC exams,” said Fazlul, also the investigation officer of the case.

“Availing the job with fake certificate made him more desperate in committing more offence,” said Fazlul Haque, deputy director of ACC, who yesterday filed a case against him with Motijheel Police Station for submitting fake certificates.

According to the case statement, on January 1, 2009 Siddiqur applied for data processing post of NCC bank and on February 9 the same year he joined the bank.

The accused submitted attested copies of his educational qualifications.

To verify the documents, the investigation officer requested all the educational institutions to send related information.

The Head Master of Domrakandi High School replied that Siddiqur had indeed passed his SSC securing first division in 1997.

But, the principal of Government Yasin College said there was no record of an examinee with the particular registration and roll number Siddiqur showed who sat for HSC examination in 1999.

The principal of Government Rajendra College said no student named Siddiqur Rahman took admission in 1999-2000 sessions for a Bachelor's degree on management subject. Similarly no such information was found regarding Master's degree.

Exam Controller of National University also verified his B.Com and Masters certificates as fake.

Fazlul said one Billal Hossain, lecturer of Social Science Department of Government Rajendra College, attested his documents in 2009 but the college authority confirmed that no lecturer under that name worked in their college at the given time.

“So it is apparent, the accused Siddiqur Rahman has obtained only an SSC degree,” said Fazlul in the case statement.

Meanwhile, ACC yesterday arrested assistant general manager of Sonali Bank Saifuddin Sabuj in connection with a case filed over misappropriating Tk 5 lakh of clients.

According to the case statement, between September 26 and October 10 of this year, several clients deposited Tk 5 lakh but Sabuj did not deposit those in their accounts and pocketed it.

The case was filed with Kishoreganj Model Police Station on October 19.