Prashanta Kumar Halder, also known as PK Halder, is a Bangladeshi-Canadian banker, businessman and finance officer. He is known for embezzling of more than 102 billion taka ($854 million USD approximately as of 2024), one of the biggest cases in Bangladesh.[3]The Daily Star called him the "Sultan of Swindle".[4]
Early life
Prashanta Kuman Halder was born in a small village in Nazirpur Upazilla of the Pirojpur District in a Hindu family. His father's name is Prananendu Halder and mother's name is Lilavati Halder who was a teacher at a local governmental institute. He is the second son in the family. His elder brother's name is Pritish Kumar Halder. They both got graduated from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Later he got his both MBA & CFA from the University of Dhaka.[citation needed]
Career
In 2008, Halder was made the Deputy Managing Director of Industrial and Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited.[3]
Halder became the managing director of Reliance Finance Limited in 2009.[3]
Halder owned HAL international, whose director, Swapan Kumar Mistri, was a director of International Leasing and Financial Services Limited.[3] Mistri's wife was the chairperson of Mutual Trust Bank Limited Marine.[3] Uttam Kumar Mistri, Swapan's brother, and his wife, Atoshi Mridha, embezzled nearly 800 million taka from International Leasing and Financial Services Limited through a fake company called Kolasin[3] From 2015 to 2019, Amitav Adhikari, Halder's cousin, was a director of People's Leasing And Financial Services Limited, and Uzzal Kumar Nandi, his former colleague, was the chairperson of People's Leasing And Financial Services Limited.[3] They helped Halder embezzle millions from People's Leasing And Financial Services Limited.[3][4] Halder than became chairman of People's Leasing And Financial Services Limited.[3]
Investigations started against Halder in 2019 after a number of raids on illegal casinos in Dhaka.[2]
In March 2020, Halder fled to India from Bangladesh through Benapole one hour before a travel ban was issued against him.[2] From there he fled to Canada of which he is a citizen.[2] He owns P&L Hal Holding Incorporated in Canada, which was founded on 3 July 2014.[2][6][7]
In December 2020, Halder's properties in Dhaka were seized by the Anti Corruption Commission.[8] He also owned Aziz Fibre Jute Control, Northern Jute Manufacturing Company Limited, Rahman Chemicals, and Simtex Industries.[9] His cousin, Amitabh Adhikari, left his admin cadre job at Bangladesh Civil Service and joined two of the companies.[9]
In January 2021, his associate NI Khan was ordered by a court to not leave Bangladesh which was later revoked on appeal.[10] Anti Corruption Commission called 14 associates of Halder to their office for investigation in the laundering by Halder in February 2021.[11] On 5 April 2021, Halder was sued by Abdul Alim, majority owner of Clewiston Foods and Accommodation which had agreements with Radisson Blue to establish a hotel in Cox's Bazar.[12] According to Alim Halder demanded majority share of his company in 2014 in return for approving his loan.[12] Halder's associate, Pritish Kumar Sarker, and managing director of FAS Finance & Investment Limited was prevented from leaving Bangladesh by Bangladesh Bank.[13] Halder refused to return to Bangladesh despite a court order.[14]
In November 2021, Anti Corruption Commission filled charges against Halder and his associates including his brother Pritish Kumar Halder.[15]
