BB suspends official involved in fraud, betting, crypto transactions

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has suspended an official following allegations of involvement in fraud, betting and cryptocurrency transactions.

Md Rakibul Hasan Khan Rocky, an assistant director at the BB's head office, was suspended, according to an order issued on July 19.

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The central bank took the decision under Section 45(5) of the Bangladesh Bank Staff Regulations, 2003.

During the suspension period, the official will be entitled to receive a subsistence allowance in line with Clause 21(a) of the Bangladesh Bank Administrative Guidelines, 2003, the order said.

The suspension order came into effect immediately.

Contacted, Arief Hossain Khan, executive director and spokesperson for the central bank, told The Daily Star: "We have heard there are serious allegations against him, possibly related to cybercrime and betting activities."

"As a rule, if police file a case against an employee, we suspend the person pending the investigation," he said.

Last week, a team from the Detective Branch (DB) of the police, led by DB chief Md Shafiqul Islam, conducted a raid at the central bank to arrest the official, but he fled after allegedly being tipped off.

The BB official has remained at large, and police have not been able to apprehend him so far.

According to sources at the central bank and the Detective Branch, the official maintains multiple bank accounts at several banks through which millions of taka have been transacted.

He is also allegedly involved in illegal betting and cryptocurrency transactions, the sources added.

Contacted, DB chief Md Shafiqul Islam told The Daily Star that a case had been filed against the official and that the investigation was ongoing.

"Therefore, no further details can be disclosed at this stage," he said.

Rakibul's colleagues, requesting anonymity, told The Daily Star that he was always quiet at the office and rarely interacted with or spoke to anyone.

Some colleagues remarked that he seemed to live in a world of his own, which may explain why he had little interaction with his co-workers.

Despite repeated attempts, The Daily Star could not reach Md Rakibul Hasan Khan Rocky for comments.