Evaly’s Russell, Shamima sentenced to 3 years in prison

A Dhaka court has sentenced Mohammad Russell, the managing director of e-commerce platform Evaly, and his wife, Shamima Nasreen, the company’s chairman, to three years in prison in a case involving embezzlement and fraud. 

The verdict was delivered on Thursday by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Monirul Islam. 

Additionally, both were fined Tk10,000 each, with an additional three months of imprisonment if the fine remains unpaid. 

The plaintiff’s lawyer, HM Ruhul Amin Mollah, confirmed the ruling.

The case was filed on December 7, 2023, by Md. Abul Kalam Azad, a victim who accused the couple of criminal breach of trust and fraud. 

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) investigated and submitted a report to the court on March 17, 2024. 

On December 9, 2023, the court initiated the trial by framing charges. During the proceedings, testimonies from three witnesses were recorded.

According to the case details, Russell and Nasreen allegedly colluded to establish Evaly with the intent to defraud customers. 

They lured customers with attractive advertisements and promotions, including offers posted on Evaly’s Facebook page. 

The plaintiff, enticed by these advertisements, paid Tk2.3 million to purchase 11 motorcycles. 

Although Evaly promised delivery within 7 to 30 days, the company failed to deliver the products, instead deceiving the plaintiff with false promises and embezzling the funds.