Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The government removed two deputy governors of the Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday over the heist of US$101 million by hackers from the BB account with the New York Federal Reserve Bank.
Meanwhile, finance secretary M Aslam Alam has been made an officer on special duty (OSD) over the heist incident.
The deputy governors are: Mohammad Abul Quasem and Nazneen Sultana, a government high official confirmed to the BBN.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed their removal order following the much-talked-about heist, the source added.
Mr Quasem was responsible for Accounts & Budgeting Department of the Bangladesh Bank while Ms Sultana for IT Department.
The central bank of Bangladesh has already able to recover nearly US$20 million from Sri Lanka out of $101 million taken away by cyber hackers from its foreign exchange reserve with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York recently.
Suspected Chinese-origin cybercriminals hacked in the forex reserves in the BB’s account with the US Federal Reserve Bank in New York on February 5.
Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is now working with its counterpart –the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) of the Philippines – actively to recover the rest of stolen fund, a central banker told the BBN earlier.
Meanwhile, following the criticism brewed over the heist, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman tendered his resignation on Tuesday.
Hours after his resignation, the government also appointed Fazle Kabir, a former finance secretary and incumbent chairman to the Sonali Bank Limited, as the governor of the Bangladesh Bank.
Mr Kabir will take the helm of the Bangladesh central bank after his arrival from an official visit to New York.
He is expected to return to the country on March 18, government high official sources said.
In another development, the government has already formed a three-member body to investigate the theist.
Former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Farasuddin will lead the probe body.
The other member of the probe body are: Prof Mohammad Kaykobad, a professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), and Gokul Chandra Das, additional secretary to the Banking and Financial Institutions Division.
BBN/SSR/ANS