Evaly under probe
The Commerce Ministry has written to the Home Ministry to file a case against Evaly, an e-commerce company that started a portfolio business in the name of digital commerce. A separate letter has also been sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to take legal action after investigating the financial irregularities raised by Bangladesh Bank. According to ACC sources, if the lockdown is relaxed a little, the agency will start investigating. The Home Ministry instructed the police headquarters to investigate the allegations as well.
In the letter, the Commerce Ministry said, "Only 16.14% of customers may be delivered goods or refunded the money with the current assets of evali.com." It is impossible for the company to pay the dues of the rest of the customers and merchants. Moreover, there no trace of Tk 338.62 crore taken from customers and merchants, which is likely to be embezzled or illegally removed elsewhere.
Earlier, E-Valy did not deliver products with an advance of Tk 214 crore from customers. Merchants owe taka 190 crores from E-Valy. The Ministry of Commerce has directed the Department of Consumer Protection and the Bangladesh Competition Commission to investigate the issue and take action regarding making a refund from the part of E-Valy. The last letter was sent to the Home Ministry on July 4. The concerned department of the home ministry has already directed the police headquarters to take the necessary action as per the letter from the commerce ministry.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Rights Protection Council and the Competition Commission have promised to stand by those who have been deceived or harmed by e-Valley or similar e-commerce companies.
Last month, Bangladesh Bank reported that Evaly's total liability was Tk 407 crore. Although the company was supposed to have at least Tk 404 crore in working assets, it has only Tk 65 crore.
Tags: E-ValiInvestigationLawsuit
