Evaly Founder ‘laundered money’: Board Chairman

Former Justice HM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, chairman of the High Court-directed board believes that Mohammad Russell, founder of Evaly has laundered money. He expressed such apprehension in response to a question from reporters at the Evaly head office in Dhanmondi on Monday (January 31) afternoon. "As much as we've reviewed Evaly's paper so far, it appears to us that money may have been smuggled abroad," he said. However, law enforcement is also investigating the matter. It will be known later. Former Justice Shamsuddin Manik further said, “We have learned that he (Mohammad Russell) and his wife used to travel to different countries every month, especially to Dubai. I am looking into these matters. We are working hard to return the money to the customers. This is an ongoing process. It's not that we can return the money to the customers tomorrow if we want.” Earlier, two bank check books and some documents were found in one of the two lockers in Evaly's office in the presence of the executive magistrate. On the fourth floor, there were 97 check books of Midland Bank and 10 check books of City Bank and several papers. And from another locker on the ground floor, Tk. 2,530 and several bank checks were found. While cutting the locker with the machines, media personnel were also  found present. Former Justice HM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik expressed frustration after opening the locker and receiving the checks. Earlier, when the committee members spoke to Russel, it was learned that there might be money in the locker. But I was disappointed after cutting the locker. He added: "During the interrogation of Russel, we learned that the owner of the building had the keys to the building. Since there are only check leaves after the locker has been cut, we are assuming the homeowner can remove the valuables. Also many envelopes were stapled. Those envelopes were found torn. We thought there were money inside.”