Over 300 Secret Lockers Found at Bangladesh Bank

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is set to open over 300 secret lockers registered under the names of Bangladesh Bank officials, with magistrates overseeing the process. This operation, confirmed by the central bank on Wednesday, has sent shockwaves through both former and current officials, leaving them deeply concerned about the future of their hidden assets.

These lockers, believed to contain valuable items such as gold, foreign currency, and other assets, were long considered secure under the protection of legal frameworks. However, the ACC, which recently obtained court approval, suspects that illicit wealth is being stored in them. The approval came after the ACC presented strong evidence pointing to potential corruption linked to these lockers.

The ACC has formally requested cooperation from Bangladesh Bank’s relevant departments to facilitate the opening of these lockers. Sources suggest that these lockers, hidden within the central bank's security vault, are tied to both current and former senior officials, with some being implicated in scandals, including the notorious reserve theft.

ACC Director Kazi Sayemuzzaman, head of the investigation department, told UNB that an application was filed in court seeking permission to open the lockers at Bangladesh Bank’s Motijheel branch. The court granted approval after reviewing the case documents, ensuring a thorough and fair investigation.

In an anonymous statement, a senior ACC official revealed that the names of several deputy governors had surfaced in connection with allegations of financial misconduct within the bank. During a prior investigation, over Tk5 crore in local and foreign currency, along with gold ornaments, were discovered in the locker of former deputy governor SK Sur Chowdhury. This finding led the ACC to uncover details about more than 300 other secret lockers, many of which were registered under the names of officials with questionable backgrounds.

The ACC official stated, “We believe this investigation will uncover sensational details that could shock the public.”

ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain further elaborated on the investigation into former deputy governor SK Sur Chowdhury, explaining that significant amounts of foreign currency and gold were found in his locker, despite his known income being insufficient to justify such wealth. This revelation led to the discovery of additional secret lockers belonging to other Bangladesh Bank officials, prompting the ACC to seek legal authorization for a comprehensive search operation.

With court approval now granted, the ACC is ready to conduct further searches in any bank across Bangladesh, should the investigation lead them in that direction. Sources indicate that the commission’s efforts could have far-reaching implications for the banking sector.