Photo:BSS

DHAKA, Feb 4, 2025 (BSS) - The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has issued a letter to the Bangladesh Bank governor requesting him to temporarily freeze the lockers of its officials.
 
 It has also requested to ensure that none can open the lockers and take the goods kept in the Bangladesh Bank vault.

A letter signed by ACC Director General Kazi Sayemuzzaman was sent to the governor of Bangladesh Bank in this connection, ACC Deputy Director General (prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain told newsmen at its headquarters in Segun Bagicha here.

The letter said on January 26 last with the permission of the court and in presence of an executive magistrate, an ACC team searched the ‘safe deposit’ of former deputy governor Sitanshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury kept in the Bangladesh Bank vault.

Three sealed boxes were opened there and 55 thousand euros, 1 lakh 69 thousand 300 US dollars, 1005.4 grams of gold and FDR amounting to Taka 70 lakh were found.

The letter also said during the search, the investigation team found that some other Bangladesh Bank officials had also kept sealed assets there.

“The ACC believes, there may be undisclosed assets in these sealed lockers,” he added.
 
Regarding this case, the letter specifically mentioned that investigations are ongoing against various levels of Bangladesh Bank officials on various charges, including money laundering.

In such a situation, the ACC has requested that the assets kept in the officials’ lockers be frozen, the Akhtar Hossain informed the journalists.

The letter stated that the ACC chairman had a discussion with the Financial Adviser on January 30 regarding the assets kept in the vault of Bangladesh Bank.

Subsequently, the adviser has agreed to temporarily freeze the assets kept in the vault.

Replying to a query of the journalists, the DG said the search team would take the next course of legal action at a later time with the permission of the court.