ACC seeks fresh records on Atiur, Fazle Kabir and Rouf Talukder probe

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought additional documents from Bangladesh Bank as it deepens its investigation into alleged irregularities involving three former governors—Atiur Rahman, Fazle Kabir and Abdur Rouf Talukder.

In a letter sent to the central bank on June 11, the anti-graft body asked Bangladesh Bank to submit the requested records by June 30. ACC officials said the commission has already received some documents and is reviewing them. If the information is found to be incomplete, another request will be issued.

The latest move follows an earlier letter sent by the ACC in late May, alleging that senior central bank officials had abused their authority by adopting policies that benefited major loan defaulters and influential business conglomerates, including the S Alam Group.

As part of the inquiry, the ACC has requested certified copies of all Bangladesh Bank approvals issued in 2016 and between 2020 and 2024 relating to the Single Borrower Exposure Limit, as well as decisions on the rescheduling and restructuring of large loans.

The commission has also sought records identifying Bangladesh Bank board members who served between 2009 and 2024, a list of companies that received incentive loans, and documents approving the S Alam Group's acquisition of ownership stakes in banks.

In addition, investigators have asked for the report prepared by former cybersecurity adviser Tanvir Zoha following the Bangladesh Bank reserve heist, along with approvals and official note sheets issued during Abdur Rouf Talukder's tenure concerning the printing of money to provide liquidity support to banks owned by the S Alam Group.

The ACC is examining whether regulatory decisions taken during the tenures of the three former governors facilitated financial irregularities and extended undue benefits to influential borrowers.