Dhaka: The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on Thursday on separate appeals challenging a High Court order that had directed the government to return around Tk 700 crore collected from different business conglomerates during the army-backed caretaker government.

A four-member Appellate Division bench, headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha, on Wednesday set the date after concluding hearing on the appeals filed by Bangladesh Bank.

Barristers Rokon Uddin Mahmud, Khairul Alam, Shafique Ahmed, Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Ahsanul Kabir and MA Hannan, among others, argued for the business establishments while Barrister M Amir Ul Islam stood for Bangladesh Bank and Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state.  

Talking to reporters, Khairul Alam said according to the central bank, over Tk 1200 crore had been taken from some businessmen during the emergency rule in 2007-08. The Appellate Division heard the appeals of nearly 15-16 companies seeking refund of the money.

Khairul said the HC earlier delivered an order to refund the money but Bangladesh Bank filed appeals with the Appellate Division against the HC order, adding that the SC will pass the verdict on the appeals on Thursday.     

According to the SC, the officials of an intelligence agency collected Tk 1,232 crore from nearly 40 businessmen and business houses, and deposited the money to the Bangladesh Bank through over 200 pay orders.

The businessmen filed separate writs seeking refund of the money after Awami League came to power.

The BB filed the appeals with the SC after the Appellate Division of the apex court allowed it to file the appeal on August 2, 2105.