ACC finds no lockers linked to corrupt Bangladesh Bank officials, investigation continues

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has completed its search for safety deposit lockers at Bangladesh Bank but failed to find any linked to former Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder and 25 other officials. 

This update was shared by ACC Director Kazi Sayemuzzaman after the investigation was concluded.

Kazi Sayemuzzaman explained, 

“We arrived at Bangladesh Bank based on complaints about 25 individuals, but we found no lockers in their names. There are more people under investigation as well. We will continue our search after receiving further court approval.”

The allegations against these individuals came from various officials within Bangladesh Bank. 

Some of the accused are still employed at the bank, while others have already left. So far, a total of 272 safety deposit lockers have been found.

Earlier in the day, at around 12:30 PM, an 8-member ACC team led by Director Kazi Sayemuzzaman arrived at Bangladesh Bank’s offices to conduct their search. 

The investigation was carried out with prior court permission.

Back on January 26, the ACC uncovered assets worth nearly BDT 50 million in a locker belonging to former Deputy Governor S.K. Sur. 

These assets have now been placed in the custody of Bangladesh Bank. The ACC also discovered additional lockers related to central bank officials during that raid.

There are ongoing concerns that some of the lockers might belong to individuals currently under investigation for corruption. 

Because of this, the ACC has decided to search those lockers as well.

In response to this situation, on February 2, the ACC sent a letter to the governor of Bangladesh Bank, urging the bank to prevent anyone from accessing these specific lockers. Since then, no one has been allowed to open any lockers at the Motijheel branch of the central bank.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan commented, 

“The ACC brought a list with them, checked the locker records, but did not find any lockers in the names of the individuals listed.”

This investigation is part of the ACC’s ongoing efforts to uncover financial corruption within the country‍‍`s banking system. 

Further actions will follow as the investigation continues to unfold.