Allegations of embezzlement, forgery and cash shortages in vaults have surfaced at several branches of state-owned Agrani Bank, with nearly Tk 6.1 billion reportedly going missing from four branches over two years between September 2024 and September 2026.
The affected branches are located in Saidpur of Nilphamari, Laldighi East Corporate in Chattogram, Kashinathpur in Pabna and Chengarchar Bazar in Chandpur. In addition, jewellery worth around Tk 29 million has allegedly gone missing from a locker at the bank’s Ramna Corporate Branch in Dhaka.
Bank officials and employees have been accused of involvement in the incidents. While money was allegedly transferred through fake accounts and fraudulent transactions in some cases, cash shortages were detected during vault inspections in others. The incidents have raised serious questions about branch management, internal audits and supervision by senior officials.
An internal audit of Agrani Bank has uncovered alleged suspicious transactions involving around Tk 4.3 billion at its Saidpur branch in Nilphamari.
Former senior officer Alimul Al Razi Tamal has been identified as the prime accused. According to the audit report, he allegedly used colleagues’ identification details and confidential passwords to transfer money to his own accounts and several suspicious accounts between early 2024 and December 2025.
The report revealed that around Tk 1.5 billion was allegedly transferred from an account at the Islamic Banking Window in the Rangpur Bus Terminal area.
It also identified RTGS transfers of Tk 727 million and Tk 450 million to two accounts opened in the names of Nilufer Akter and Rodela Akter, respectively. Irregularities were reportedly found in the national identity documents, mobile phone numbers and other records associated with these accounts.
Tamal has reportedly remained absent from his workplace since the incident came to light. The bank authorities have filed a general diary with the police and informed the Rangpur office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The incident has also raised concerns over branch management and the effectiveness of regular audits.
A cash shortage of around Tk 500 million has been detected at Agrani Bank’s Laldighi East Corporate Branch in Chattogram. Earlier, a shortage of Tk 438 million had been reported in the branch’s vault.
Senior Officer Kamrul Hossain was arrested in connection with the incident and sent to jail. Two other bank officials have also been temporarily suspended.
However, investigations are underway to determine the actual cause of the shortage and identify those responsible.
In April 2024, financial irregularities amounting to Tk 101.36 million were detected at the bank’s Kashinathpur branch in Santhia, Pabna.
Branch Manager Harun Bin Salam, Principal Officer Abu Zafar and Cashier Subrata Chakraborty were arrested in connection with the incident and later suspended.
The discrepancy was detected during a surprise inspection by a five-member audit team from the bank’s Rajshahi divisional and Pabna regional offices.
In September of the same year, a cash shortage of Tk 7.52 million was detected in the vault of the Chengarchar Bazar branch in Matlab North, Chandpur.
According to the bank’s records, the vault should have contained Tk 10.29 million. However, a physical count found only Tk 2.77 million.
A case was filed against Cash Officer Dipankar Ghosh over the incident.
Separately, around Tk 3 billion belonging to 315 customers has allegedly been embezzled from Agrani Bank’s Sreenagar branch in Munshiganj, leaving depositors uncertain about the recovery of their savings.
Customers claim that although they deposited money following proper procedures, many of their account records can no longer be traced.
The affected depositors include individuals who had deposited their lifetime savings, retirement benefits and business capital with the bank.
An initial investigation by the ACC found evidence of the embezzlement of Tk 894.80 million belonging to 91 customers. The commission believes the number of affected customers could exceed 200.
The alleged fraud involved fake fixed deposit receipts (FDRs), forged cheques, fabricated deposit receipts and alterations to bank account information.
Cash Officer Mohammad Sharifuzzaman Sohag was arrested on October 4 in connection with the case. On October 7, the ACC arrested five more people: Cash Officer Mohammad Jinnah Hossain, former managers Rezaul Haque and Mohammad Sharif Uddin, and security personnel Ranju Ahmed and Abdul Hai.
On November 8, affected customers staged a human chain in front of Bangladesh Bank, demanding the return of their deposits.
Jafrin Alam, also known as Rakhi, convener of the Customers’ Unity Council, presented a seven-point list of demands. She said she had personally deposited Tk 1.5 million with the branch.
Agrani Bank Chairman Syed Abu Naser Bakhtiar Ahmed has assured customers that their deposits will be returned, but said the authenticity of the deposits must first be verified.
Agrani Bank Chairman has said investigations into the incidents are underway and legal action will be taken against those found responsible. Recovering the missing money and returning it to customers have also been identified as priorities.
Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) had been instructed to inspect the Saidpur branch. The central bank has also sought information from Agrani Bank about the measures taken in connection with the other incidents.
The alleged financial irregularities and fraud across multiple branches have highlighted weaknesses in the bank’s internal control systems, information technology security, auditing and senior-level supervision.
Ensuring the protection of depositors’ money, restoring public confidence and taking effective action against that responsible will require impartial investigations and stronger monitoring mechanisms.
