A samity (co-operative society) named Deshpriti Bohumukhi Shomobay Samity misappropriated Tk2 crore of clients in Chandpur.
More than 300 people of Chadpur sadar upazila are in dire straits now who deposited their hard earned savings in the samity.
Following the incident, some members submitted both oral and written complaints to the Chandpur model police station and the district shomobay office. However, no steps have been taken in this connection yet.
The victims said around seven years ago Hasan Mahmud, son of Tajul Islam Patwary of Lodhergaon village established the samity with registration no 01/chand/2009. Later the number was changed to 01/chand/2011.
According to the deeds signed by the clients, the samity used to collect money through FDRs, under which they collected Tk5000 to Tk50,000. They assured the clients to give interest of 10% in one year, 20% in two years, 32% in three years, 50% in four years, 70% in five years and 101% for six years.
On June 13, this year, Hasan Mahmud sent a text message to all the clients which read: “I am sorry. I am in Benapole now. I am going to India. Will return someday. Good bye.”
After searching for him in all possible locations, the clients demonstrated in front of the samity office. Some were seen crying out of despair yesterday.
The members of samity’s standing committee, including Ferdousi Begum, also sister of Hasan, Borhan Uddin Miji, Jahid Haji, Khalilur Rahman, Abdul Hannan Talukdar, and Mofiz Bepari said they were not aware of Hasan’s whereabouts.
A number of clients claimed to the Dhaka Tribune that since establishment of the samity, Hasan and many of the committee members constructed new buildings and bought lands.
Saleha Begum, a client said: “I had deposited Tk7 lakh on February 1 this year by selling all my gold jewellery. This was my whole life’s savings. Now what will I do?”
Another client Tariqul Islam said: “I opened an FDR in the name of my elder sister Mobasshera and I deposited Tk50,000 there. In August, 2013, I deposited Tk15,000 in the name of my wife Mansura Begum.
A trader of Mohamaya Bazar Milon Patwary said: “I had deposited Tk21 lakh at a time. I have not received any interest, not even one taka.”
He alleged that the samity was approved by the Chandpur Cooperative Society. “If the office had maintained an audit the samity could not gobble up our money,” he suspected.
Owner of the rented house where the samity used to operate, Malik Iman Hossain, said he once deposited Tk10,75,000. He lodged a complaint to the Chandpur model police station after the samity dissolved.
Seeking anonymity, one of the owners of the samity said: “I cannot make any comment. The clients did not deposit money by asking us.”
Chandpur model police station Officer-in-Charge ATM Ariful Hoque said: “I cannot say anything as I am not clearly aware of the matter.”
No one was available over phone for comments at the Chandpur Cooperative Society office.