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Bangladesh Bank has temporarily suspended one of its officials over allegations of involvement in online gambling, cyber-related offences and illegal cryptocurrency transactions. The suspended official, Md. Rakibul Hasan Khan Rocky, served as an Assistant Director at the central bank’s headquarters.
Confirming the development on Tuesday (21 July), Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said the action was taken in accordance with institutional rules after law enforcement agencies brought allegations against the official. He will remain suspended until the investigation is completed.
According to an office order issued on 19 July, the suspension took immediate effect. During the suspension period, the official will receive a subsistence allowance in line with the bank’s administrative regulations.
Arif Hossain Khan said the official faces serious allegations, including cybercrime and online gambling. Under existing rules, any Bangladesh Bank employee named in a police case is placed under temporary suspension pending completion of the investigation.
Investigation sources said a team from the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) recently visited Bangladesh Bank headquarters to arrest the accused. However, he allegedly left the premises before officers could locate him and has remained absconding since then. Police operations to arrest him are continuing.
According to Bangladesh Bank and investigation sources, the accused operated multiple bank accounts through which a significant volume of transactions took place. Investigators suspect that a substantial portion of those transactions was linked to illegal online gambling and cryptocurrency activities.
A senior DB official confirmed that a case has already been filed and the investigation is ongoing. However, no further details are being disclosed at this stage in the interest of the investigation.
Colleagues described Rakibul Hasan Khan Rocky as a quiet individual who rarely interacted with co-workers. He was attached to the General Department of Bangladesh Bank and also served as the Personal Secretary (PS) to an Executive Director.
Repeated attempts to obtain comments from the accused official were unsuccessful.
