Former Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, SK Sur Chowdhury, was sent to jail on Tuesday (Jan 14) in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over acquiring illegal wealth and concealing asset information.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order after SK Sur Chowdhury was presented in court. 

Earlier, ACC arrested SK Sur Chowdhury from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with assistance from the Detective Branch of police.

The ACC’s Deputy Director, Nazmul Hossain, who is the case's investigating officer, sought his detention in court, which was granted by the judge.

SK Sur Chowdhury retired as Deputy Governor in January 2018. Allegations against him include aiding and benefiting from loan scams tied to NRB Global Bank's former Managing Director, PK Halder.

The ACC began investigating Sur Chowdhury and others in 2022 after his alleged involvement in PK Halder's financial scams came to light. He was interrogated regarding the embezzlement of over Tk 2,500 crore from International Leasing and Financial Services Limited (ILFSL).

Despite being asked to submit a wealth statement, Sur Chowdhury, his wife Suparna Sur Chowdhury, and daughter Nandita Sur Chowdhury failed to do so within the stipulated time, leading to a case filed under Section 26(2) of the ACC Act, 2004.

Sur Chowdhury was also Deputy Governor during the February 2016 cyber theft of $101 million from Bangladesh Bank's foreign reserve held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

BDST: 1930 HRS, JAN 14, 2025
MSK