Bangladesh recovers nearly 10 kg gold from bank lockers tied to Sheikh Hasina

On 25–26 November 2025, a joint team from the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the NBR and the ACC opened two bank lockers registered under the name of Sheikh Hasina at the head office of Agrani Bank in Dhaka’s Motijheel district. Locker numbers 751 and 753 were previously seized by the NBR in September.

In the presence of a judicial magistrate, a bullion-expert from the central bank’s bullion wing, tax-intelligence officers, and bank officials, the joint team recovered approx. 832.5 bhori — about 9.7 kg — of gold ornaments, coins and bars from the two vaults.

Simultaneously, another locker — rented in Hasina’s name at Pubali Bank — was opened. However, officials found only a small empty jute bag inside.

Bank officials and investigators said the seized gold included state awards and gifts from foreign institutions, which by law should have been deposited to the state treasury (the “Toshakhana”).

Legal and institutional context

The seizure is part of a broader crackdown by Bangladesh’s interim government and its financial-crime units on undisclosed wealth, alleged tax evasion, and improper asset holdings by former high-ranking officials and their associates.

Under bank regulations, a locker can only be opened when both keys are present — one held by the customer and one by the bank’s security branch. With Hasina missing (she fled Bangladesh in August 2024) and only one key available, authorities required a court order and presence of a magistrate to proceed.

Investigators state that the safe-deposit contents will be inspected, catalogued, and assessed to determine if they were properly declared or whether the assets constitute illicit gains. The ACC also plans to cross-check the recovered items against submitted income declarations and tax filings.

Significance and political implications

The recovered gold — amounting to nearly 10 kg — represents one of the largest known asset seizures tied to a former head of government in recent Bangladeshi history. Observers say it marks a major escalation in the asset-forfeiture campaign by the current authorities.

The findings raise serious questions over compliance with legal requirements regarding gifts received by government officials.

Under Bangladesh law, official gifts are typically required to be handed over to the state treasury (Toshakhana); scholars and watchdogs see the seizure as a test case for enforcing these rules.

Political analysts predict that the investigation and any potential prosecution may further polarise public opinion.

Hasina’s supporters claim the probe is politically motivated, while critics frame it as a necessary step toward transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, the interim government says the operation follows due legal process.

Reactions from banks and officials

Bank officials at Agrani Bank confirmed that the lockers were rented under Hasina’s name and were in compliance with banking regulations. Once legal permission was secured, the NBR seized the lockers and collaborated in the operation.

A senior CIC official — speaking under anonymity — told media the operation was not a simple raid but a court-mandated procedure: “This is a matter for the court. It was opened subject to their permission."

The ACC said the inventory of recovered assets would be reviewed to verify ownership, value and compliance with tax and asset-declaration laws. Further legal steps will be taken once the verification is complete.