Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Saturday alleged that Tk 800 crore was stolen from Bangladesh Bank’s account in the US Federal Reserve Bank with the help of government and central bank officials.

‘The money from the Bangladesh Bank account was stolen right away, not hacked. There’s no scope of swindling out the money without involvement of key officials of the bank. No one could dare to plunder such a big amount of money without having any link with government and bank officials,’ he said.

Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, came up with the allegation while speaking at a discussion meeting at National Press Club arranged by Jatiyatabadi Karmajibi Dal, marking its ninth founding anniversary.

The BNP leader demanded that a fair and credible investigation be carried out into the incident. ‘The ministers and MPs and bank official who were behind the heist can be identified through a proper probe.’

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York was hacked and $100 million taken out from the Bangladesh government's account last month. The sensational heist surfaced after a Philippines newspaper published a report on it.

Gayeshwar warned that this government will have to bow out amid public wrath if it fails to recover the public money.

About the upcoming Union Parishad polls, the BNP leader alleged that the ruling party men established its unilateral supremacy in the election areas as the Election Commission has failed to ensure a level-playing field. ‘The Finance Minister used to utter the word rubbish. Like him, I would also like to describe the election as rubbish.’

Turning to BNP’s 19 March council, he said their main target is to intensify the movement for the restoration of democracy through the council. ‘I hope the dedicated and courageous leaders will be evaluated in the council.’