Special Correspondent :  Mirza Yahia Babu, a once-respected bank manager at Mercantile Bank, has come under intense scrutiny for allegedly building a vast empire of wealth through illegal activities. His journey from a manager at the Gazipur Chowrasta branch in 2015 to his current position at the Uttara Gharib Newaz Road branch has raised serious questions about his integrity and connections to high-ranking officials. It was disclosed at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity Sagor-Runi Auditorium at Segunbagicha in the capital on Wednesday.

Mizanur Rahman manik, victim of incident, read out the press statement where Md Abdul Wahab, Md Selim, Kamal Hossian, Mostafizur Rahman attedned the press conference.The investigation revealed that while stationed in Gazipur, Babu accumulated significant assets in the Kapasia area, all the while managing to maintain a respectable public image. This facade of respectability is reportedly bolstered by his close ties with former Detective Branch (DB) chief Harun, a powerful administrative figure.

Through this connection, Babu allegedly navigated his criminal undertakings with impunity. Babu’s dealings took a more personal turn when he became acquainted with Mizanur Rahman Manik, a Canadian expatriate who entrusted him with his financial and land-related matters. Impressed by Babu’s professional demeanor, Manik opened two current accounts under the names M/s Tanni Enterprise and SA TANNI RAZU JV at the Gazipur branch in 2016. Through these accounts, Manik secured loans exceeding Tk one crore for his business, which he repaid diligently.

However, Babu refused to return the security cheques provided by Manik as collateral, leading to a series of events that would expose Babu’s darker side. When Manik requested the return of his cheques, Babu allegedly resorted to intimidation, using his connection with DB chief Harun to make veiled threats. The situation escalated when Babu reportedly transferred ownership of one acre of Manik’s land to himself through fraudulent means. As Manik continued to press for the return of his documents, Babu’s threats intensified, culminating in warnings of making Manik “disappear.”

Desperate for justice, Manik filed a general diary at the Uttara West police station. Further investigations have since uncovered that Babu has been acting as the financial secretary for Harun since 2017 and has played a key role in numerous land transactions on Harun’s behalf. Using his influence, Babu has allegedly amassed substantial wealth, including a dairy farm project worth several crores in Kashinathpur, Pabna, a six-story house in Pabna Sadar, a highly valuable plot of land in Gazipur, and a massive resort with a deer farm in Kapasia, among other properties.

These revelations, coupled with suspicions of Babu’s involvement in terrorism and further land fraud, paint a damning picture of a man deeply enmeshed in criminal activities. One particularly shocking incident involves Babu allegedly forcing the sale of 2 bigha land by holding the owner at gunpoint and transferring the land to a relative of DB Harun.

Mizanur Rahman Manik, still hoping for justice, has appealed to the administration, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and various media outlets. He hopes that a thorough investigation will not only help recover his lost connection property but also fully expose the extent of Babu’s alleged criminal operations.