State-owned Janata Bank has initiated a special audit of its eight largest loan defaulters, including Beximco, S. Alam, Orion, and others, allegedly tied to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s close associates. These entities defaulted on over Tk 70,000 crore, amounting to 75% of the bank’s total loans. The Bangladesh Bank-ordered audit aims to identify irregularities and hold executives accountable. The bank reported a record Tk 3,066 crore loss in 2024, with no dividends declared amid growing concerns over financial mismanagement and political influence.