A bank customer seeking a loan often has to run from one desk to another, sometimes wearing out the soles of their shoes while chasing the bank manager. On top of that, they have to submit endless documents and paperwork, yet there is still no guarantee that the loan will be approved or that they will be able to invest in their business.
However, Kamrul Hossain, a cash in-charge at Agrani Bank in Chattogram, did not have to go through any such process. He allegedly took money directly from the bank vault and invested it in an agro-farm, or cattle farm. The amount was neither a few thousand nor a few lakh taka. He allegedly removed Tk 4.38 crore from the bank.
The incident took place at the corporate branch of Agrani Bank PLC, located on the second floor of the District Council Building beside Laldighi in Chattogram. The huge cash shortage was detected when bank officials attempted to reconcile the cash balance in the vault.
Subsequently, the bank manager filed a case against Cash In-Charge Kamrul Hossain, 41, and his alleged associate, Jafrullah Tanvir, 25. Both suspects were handed over to the police.
The case was filed on Wednesday night, following which the two suspects were arrested and sent to jail custody. Several other unidentified individuals have also been named in the case.
Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Zayed Mohammad Nazmun Nur said the bank manager, Mostak Ahmed, filed the case over the disappearance of Tk 4.38 crore from the Agrani Bank vault. He said police had already arrested the two accused and produced them before the court, which ordered that they be sent to jail.
According to the case statement and bank sources, Kamrul Hossain was responsible for the branch's cash and vault. On August 9, after the day's regular banking operations and transactions had ended, officials discovered a shortage while reconciling the cash balance and the amount stored in the vault.
The physical counting of the cash showed that Tk 4.38 crore was missing compared with the amount recorded in the books. When Kamrul Hossain was questioned about the shortage, he reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. The alleged manipulation came to light during the counting of the cash in the vault.
Investigators found that bundles marked as containing Tk 1,000 notes actually contained mostly Tk 100 notes. As a result, the bundles appeared to match the records when counted from the outside, while the actual amount of money inside was significantly lower. This information reportedly emerged during preliminary questioning.
According to the cash in-charge's statement, he allegedly transferred the money from the bank and invested it through his associate, Jafrullah Tanvir, in an agro-farm called “Ishrat Agro” in Uttar Burishchar area of Hathazari. The farm currently has around 50 to 60 cattle of various improved breeds.
Sources said the shortage of Tk 4.38 crore accumulated between June 1, 2025, and August 9, 2026. Banks are required to reconcile their cash and vault balances at the end of daily operations. This raises questions about how such a shortage allegedly continued for more than a year without being detected.
Questions have also arisen over whether the branch manager and other officials can avoid responsibility for the incident. Sources said the investigation will determine whether anyone else was involved or whether other individuals bear responsibility.
Azim Ullah, father of arrested suspect Jafrullah Tanvir, has claimed that his son was not involved in the incident and was deliberately framed.
The investigation into the case has been assigned to Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, Inspector (Investigation) of Kotwali Police Station. He said the two named accused had been arrested and produced before the court. Police also seized two mobile phones, including an iPhone, from them.
He added that the investigation would determine how the money was removed from the bank, whom the suspects had been in contact with, and whether anyone else was involved or should be held responsible.