Tk 226.75 Crore Loan Dispute Puts Ananta Jalil Business Empire Under Pressure
Ananta Jalil loan crisis:
A major financial crisis has engulfed the business empire of Bangladeshi actor and industrialist Ananta Jalil, with mounting bank liabilities, factory closures and a growing struggle to secure fresh investment threatening the future of his manufacturing operations.
Mutual Trust Bank (MTB) has issued a legal notice to Ananta Jalil and his wife, Khadiza Parveen, seeking recovery of Tk 226.75 crore owed by AB Apparels Ltd, a garment manufacturing company owned by the businessman.
The development follows the rejection of a cheque issued in favour of the bank, allegedly due to insufficient funds in the company’s account. The bank has warned that legal proceedings may follow if the outstanding amount is not paid within the stipulated period.
According to the legal notice, MTB approved the rescheduling of a term loan worth Tk 267.21 crore on August 28, 2024, following an application from AB Apparels.
Subsequently, the company’s chairman, Ananta Jalil, issued a cheque for Tk 226.75 crore to the bank as part of a commitment to repay a portion of the outstanding debt.
However, when the cheque was presented on November 2, 2026, it was dishonoured because the account reportedly lacked sufficient funds.
The notice states that the company also violated the conditions of the loan rescheduling agreement. Ananta Jalil and Khadiza Parveen have been given 30 days from receipt of the notice to settle the outstanding amount. Failure to comply could result in legal action under Sections 138 and 140 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
Confirming the development, the bank’s lawyer, Md Zahidul Islam Bacchu, said the legal notice had been served over the alleged breach of the rescheduled loan agreement and the dishonoured cheque.
Ananta Jalil blames pandemic-era borrowing
Responding to the development, Ananta Jalil said he had borrowed nearly Tk 200 crore during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain salary payments for workers despite a sharp decline in business activity.
He said the accumulated interest had significantly increased the financial burden, making repayment increasingly difficult.
The businessman also indicated that cooperation from banks would be essential for his companies to recover from the current situation.
Factory closures leave thousands of workers without jobs
The financial difficulties have reportedly forced several of Ananta Jalil’s industrial units to suspend operations, leaving more than 10,000 workers unemployed, according to information cited by sources familiar with the situation.
Despite efforts to keep the businesses operational, the industrialist has reportedly failed to attract investors or business partners willing to take over or manage the factories.
Sources close to him said discussions with several Chinese businessmen and potential investors also failed to produce any meaningful investment commitments.
The crisis has raised concerns among financial institutions, suppliers and other business partners over the prospects of recovering money invested in his companies.
Gas connection disconnected over alleged irregularities
Adding to the difficulties, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company has disconnected the gas supply to facilities associated with AJI Group over outstanding gas bills and allegations of gas theft.
Ananta Jalil said the situation would be difficult to overcome without financial support and cooperation from the banks.
From garment entrepreneur to a business under pressure
Ananta Jalil began his journey in the garment industry on a relatively small scale and gradually established several industrial ventures over the past 25 years. Through AJI Group, he became a prominent name in Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector.
He entered the film industry in 2010 and later gained public attention through the film Khoj: The Search, in which he appeared alongside actress Afia Nusrat Barsha, whom he subsequently married.
He later established AB Apparels Ltd, appointing Barsha as its managing director.
However, his business operations have faced growing difficulties in recent years, with mounting debt and disruptions to factory operations putting pressure on the group’s financial position.
Asked whether his involvement in filmmaking contributed to the deterioration of his business interests, Ananta Jalil did not provide a direct answer. Instead, he pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and other global developments as major factors behind his financial difficulties.
Banks weigh possible legal action
According to sources familiar with the matter, if the outstanding payment is not made within the deadline, the bank could initially pursue a cheque dishonor case and subsequently consider filing a recovery suit before the Artha Rin Adalat, Bangladesh’s specialized loan recovery court.
The latest legal notice has also heightened concerns among other banks that have financed Ananta Jalil’s business ventures.
Whether the industrialist can secure fresh investment, resume factory operations and meet his substantial financial obligations remains uncertain.
For a businessman once regarded as a major investor in the country’s garment sector, the current situation represents a significant challenge to the survival of his industrial ventures.
