Two Arrested Over Tk.4.38 Crore Missing from Agrani Bank Vault

Police have arrested two people after Tk.4.38 crore went missing from the cash vault of Agrani Bank's Laldighi East Corporate Branch in Chattogram, allegedly deposit funds belonging to customers.

Those arrested are the branch's senior cash-in-charge officer Kamrul Hossain, 41 and Md. Zafrullah Tanveer, 25. Both have been sent to jail by the court.

According to the case statement, Hossain discovered a discrepancy on August 9 while reconciling vault records after regular banking hours. A check of the accounts and documents confirmed a shortfall of Tk.4.38 crore which he could not explain.

That night, branch General Manager Mostak Ahmed filed a case at Kotwali police station naming Hossain and Tanveer, along with others yet to be identified.

Investigators said Hossain allegedly padded vault bundles by inserting low-value notes inside stacks of Tk.1,000 notes, making the vault appear full while the actual cash fell short. The diverted funds were reportedly invested with Tanveer to launch a cattle farm "Ishrat Agro" in Hathazari's North Burischar area which now holds 50 to 60 cows.

Kotwali OC (Investigation) Md. Iqbal Hossain said two mobile phones, WhatsApp records and a 64GB pen drive were seized from the accused and the probe continues to determine if others were involved.

Kotwali OC Abu Zayed Mohammad Nazmun Noor confirmed the arrests and said investigators are working to establish the full extent of the case.

Agrani Bank Officer Welfare Association President Motaher Hossain said an internal audit is underway and will clarify the total loss and any further involvement once complete.