Minister without portfolio Suranjit Sengupta on Friday said steps will be taken against people involved in Hall-Mark scam after proper investigation and the swindled money will be returned to government coffer.

"The government will not hesitate to take measure against those who involved in this scam after conducting a proper investigation," said Suranjit.

He was addressing a discussion organised by the Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote on the occasion of 120th birth anniversary of Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardi at the capital's Central Public Library auditorium.

According to a functional audit report as of May 31 this year, the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel-branch of the Sonali bank had disbursed Tk 3,606 crore as loan to Hall-Mark Group and other entities without maintaining banking rules.

News: The Daily Star/Bangladesh/07-Sep-12

In May, a central bank investigation also revealed massive irregularities by the bank in sanctioning and disbursing of loans, especially to little-known Hall-Mark Group and others, and instructed it to take necessary actions.

Sonali Bank on August 30 suspended 17 of its officials for their alleged involvement with the loan scam.

News: The Daily Star/Bangladesh/07-Sep-12