ACC seeks records on Ex-BB governors

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought a range of documents from Bangladesh Bank as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption and financial irregularities involving three former governors — Atiur Rahman, Fazle Kabir and Abdur Rouf Talukder.

ACC Public Relations Officer Md Akhtarul Islam said on Wednesday that the commission had requested the documents in connection with an inquiry into allegations linked to the Bangladesh
Bank reserve heist, the Hallmark loan scam, S Alam Group’s alleged loan fraud and other banking sector irregularities.

He said the commission would review the documents and, if necessary, expand the investigation, including questioning former and current officials concerned.

According to ACC sources, a three-member inquiry committee has been formed, comprising Deputy Director Md Mominul Islam, Deputy Director Ranjit Kumar Karmakar and Assistant Deputy Director Md Yasin Molla.

In its letter to the central bank, the ACC said it was investigating allegations that former governor Dr Atiur Rahman and others abused their authority, introduced policies that favoured loan defaulters through irregular practices, and facilitated irregularities linked to the Bangladesh Bank reserve theft, the Hallmark scam, S Alam Group’s loan fraud and other financial misconduct that allegedly undermined the country’s banking sector between 2009 and 2024.

As part of the inquiry, the commission has requested detailed information on all Bangladesh Bank board members who served during the 2009–2024 period, including their names, addresses and tenure.

It has also sought records relating to major policy decisions and approvals made during those years.

The ACC has specifically asked for certified copies of all no-objection certificates issued by the Department of Off-site Supervision (DOS) and the Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD) in 2016 and between 2020 and 2024 concerning the single borrower exposure limit and the rescheduling or restructuring of large loans.

The commission has also requested a list of institutions that received stimulus loans under BRPD Circular-8 issued in 2020 for the industrial and service sectors, together with details of the incentives provided.

In addition, the ACC has sought documents relating to the transfer of ownership of several banks, certified copies of relevant note sheets, and records concerning cash support approvals granted to a number of banks owned by a particular business group during the tenure of former governor Abdur Rouf Talukder.

The commission has further requested a copy of the investigation report prepared by cyber security expert Tanvir Doha on the Bangladesh Bank reserve theft as part of its ongoing inquiry.