Former Janata Bank chairman Dr Abul Barkat was arrested late Thursday night by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police from the city’s Dhanmondi area.

He was detained around 11:30pm during a raid based on a tip-off, DB Joint Commissioner Mohammad Nasirul Islam confirmed to Samakal.

“Dr Barkat has been arrested in connection with an ongoing case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). He is being taken to the DB office on Minto Road,” said the official.

Barkat, a former professor and head of the Economics Department at the University of Dhaka, was known as a vocal supporter of the previous Sheikh Hasina-led government.

During his tenure at Janata Bank, he faced criticism over alleged involvement in loan irregularities and financial scandals reportedly linked to politically connected networks.

He also serves as honorary chief adviser to the Human Development Research Centre (HDRC), a private research institution.

SMS/