Film producer and actor Ananta Jalil and his wife, businesswoman Afrin Shilpi, have been served a legal notice over the dishonour of a cheque amounting to Tk 92.29 crore. Mutual Trust Bank (MTB) issued the notice against their company, AB Apparels Limited.
Details of the Notice
The notice, issued on Thursday (November 12), states that a cheque worth Tk 92.29 crore provided by AB Apparels, owned by Ananta Jalil and Afrin Shilpi, was dishonoured when presented to the bank. The bank has directed the company to repay the full amount within 30 days of the cheque being bounced.Legal Proceedings
Sources indicate that if the amount is not repaid within the notice period, the bank will pursue further legal action under applicable laws. Under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, cheque dishonour is a punishable offence, carrying a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison.Business Context
While Ananta Jalil and Afrin Shilpi are primarily known for film production and acting, they jointly operate AB Apparels, a garment export company. The firm exports garments to domestic and international markets. Banking sources report that irregularities in loan repayment by the company had been ongoing for an extended period.Response
No immediate formal response was available from Ananta Jalil or Afrin Shilpi regarding the matter. However, sources familiar with the situation suggest they are attempting to resolve the issue through their lawyers.Meanwhile, banking sector analysts say that large-scale cheque dishonour incidents can undermine confidence in the country's banking system. They advise banks to take strict legal action in such cases.
