The High Court on Monday directed Bangladesh Bank to ensure that National Bank PLC allows four account holders to withdraw their savings.
A bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Md Ali Reza passed the interim order after hearing a writ petition filed by Lucky Akter, Nasima Begum, Sathy Begum and Md Shamim Ahmed.
The court also issued a Rule Nisi asking the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank and National Bank PLC to explain why the petitioners should not be allowed to access their funds.
The court directed the Bangladesh Bank governor, its general manager, the Technology Risk and Digital Banking Supervision Department and the Customer Interest Protection Centre (CIPC) to address the depositors’ complaints and ensure National Bank processes their withdrawals.
The petitioners hold savings accounts at National Bank branches in Tangail and Mymensingh. They alleged that branch officials repeatedly refused to honour their cheques without providing any written explanation.
On September 17, branch officials refused to process cheques, including one submitted by Nasima Begum for Tk30,000.
The petitioners said they had been unable to access their savings for basic necessities, healthcare and education. They also said their complaints to Bangladesh Bank’s CIPC and Financial Integrity and Customer Services Department received no response.
The order comes as National Bank faces liquidity pressures. Bangladesh Bank provided the bank with Tk1,000 crore in emergency liquidity support in February to meet pre-Eid demand.
According to Bangladesh Bank data, National Bank’s non-performing loans stood at Tk24,302 crore as of March 31, accounting for 56.44% of its total loans.
Customers at branches across the country have faced restrictions on cash withdrawals, while some ATMs have remained out of service.