Police have started investigating a fake diamond syndicate allegedly led by Dilip Kumar Agarwala, Managing Director of Diamond World, who is also reportedly involved in gold smuggling.
To this end, officials have scrutinised the distribution channel of Masonite stones, which were sold as diamonds by the syndicate.
According to sources, several names linked to Dilip’s syndicate have surfaced, though they are still under verification.
According to sources, several names linked to Dilip’s syndicate have surfaced, though they are still under verification.
On Thursday, a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court led by Judge Dilruba Afroz Tithi issued an order to send Dilip Kumar Agarwala to jail following his remand. Investigations reveal that Dilip’s syndicate made enormous profits by selling fake diamonds, part of which has been laundered abroad. The group has reportedly amassed significant wealth, both domestically and internationally. Allegations also suggest that a portion of the illicit earnings was regularly given to influential figures in the former Hasina government to safeguard their operations.
Dilip Kumar Agarwala was presented before the court after completing his remand. The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Md. Sadek, requested that Dilip remain in custody until the investigation is complete. Dilip’s lawyer, on the other hand, applied for bail. After hearing both sides, the judge denied the bail request and ordered that Dilip be detained in jail.
On 3 September, Dilip Kumar Agarwala was arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from Gulshan in Dhaka. The following day, the Dhaka Metropolitan Court granted a three-day remand for further questioning.
Dilip is also a suspect in a separate case related to the shooting death of a teenager named Hridoy during a protest against discrimination in Badda on 19 July. In that case, 161 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were named as accused by a plaintiff named Shahadat Hossain Khan.
Dilip Kumar Agarwala, a controversial figure in Bangladesh, is facing numerous allegations, including selling fake diamonds, evading taxes worth billions, and laundering money abroad.
Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
