Regent Hospital Chairman Md Shahed, alias Shahed Karim, has been sent to jail in a case lodged over the dishonour of a Taka 2.16 crore cheque issued to Dhaka Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd. Judge Sadik Ahammed of Dhaka Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court-5 passed the order following a hearing.
Shahed was detained from the ECB Chattar area in Dhaka on an outstanding arrest warrant issued in the case filed with Pallabi Police Station. According to the case documents, Shahed obtained a loan of Taka 2.16 crore from the bank in 2015 for business purposes, depositing a cheque worth Taka 2.16 crore as security against the loan.
When Shahed failed to repay the loan, the bank presented the cheque for encashment, but it was dishonoured. Consequently, the bank filed a case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka. The case was later transferred to the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court for trial.
On May 4, 2025, the Dhaka Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court-5 delivered its verdict, sentencing Shahed to one year's imprisonment and fining him Taka 2.16 crore. As he remained absconding at the time the verdict was pronounced, the court issued a conviction warrant along with a warrant for his arrest.
Shahed's arrest and subsequent jail sentence highlight the legal repercussions of financial mismanagement and the importance of adhering to financial obligations. The case serves as a reminder of the stringent measures in place to ensure accountability in financial transactions.
