Dhaka, Dec. 22 -- The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved a case against 31 individuals, including former National Bank director Ron Haque Sikder, on charges of misappropriating Tk 8.13 billion by creating "paper" or counterfeit institutions.

The list of accused also includes Maksuda Haque, the widow of late Awami League lawmaker Aslamul Haque.

ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain confirmed the development on Monday, saying the case involves Tk 8.13 billion allegedly embezzled through loans linked to two fictitious firms.

The two institutions are "Manha Precast Technology Ltd", a client of the bank's Dilkusha branch, and "Smart Battery Technology Ltd", a client of the Gulshan Corporate branch.

Akhtar said the loan funds were ...