We are not responsible for Sheesha

State Bank of India (SBI) has said that the transfer of Rf 18 million from the account of the three Sheesha brothers was done as per normal, and that the bank should neither have to return this money nor be held responsible for it.

This comes in relation to a case filed by the three brothers, regarding the transfer of Rf 18 million to a group who submitted forged documents to the bank.

Lawyer of SBI Hassan Falah said during the trial that a Fund Transfer Agreement was signed between SBI and the three brothers on 10 July 2011, which allows the bank to transfer money from their account when the necessary documents with the brothers’ signatures are presented.

Falah further said that the money was transferred to the Bank of Maldives accounts of Abdul Baagir and Ibrahim Shahid, with the receipt of a document signed by Hassan Husham (one of the brothers) by fax.

Ibrahim Shahid’s current location is currently unknown. He is a wanted man by the Police;even an Interpol red notice had been issued in efforts to find him.

Falah also said that it is common for businesses carry out financial transactions via fax, and that the three brothers had made no request to not act on documents received via fax.

SBI requested the Court to ascertain that they have the right to act on requests for transactions received by fax.

Sheesha had requested the Court to question the employees of SBI who were involved in making these transactions.

In conclusion of today’s session, Judge of Civil Court Haathif Hilmy said that the request to summon the employees involved in making these transactions should be made in the accountability document.

The Judge also requested SBI to present the agreement made between SBI and Sheesha in Dhivehi, at the next hearing.