A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, his wife Lutful Tahmina Khan, daughter Safia Tasnim Khan, son Shafi Modasser Khan, and seven others, prohibiting their departure from the country.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad As-Sams Joglul Hossain issued the order following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday (1 September).
The other individuals subjected to the travel ban include joint secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dhananjay Kumar Das, former DIG Molla Nazrul Islam, Acting Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Md Harun-or-Rashid Biswas, Public Relations Officer Sharif Mahmud Apu, Administrative Officer Molla Ibrahim Hossain, Personal Assistant to the Home Minister Monir Hossain, and Shafi Modasser Khan.
ACC Deputy Director Md Jahangir Alam submitted the application seeking the travel ban.
The hearing was conducted by ACC Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam, after which the court issued the order.
According to the petition, an ongoing investigation is being conducted against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and others for allegedly accepting bribes amounting to crores of taka through a syndicate involved in transfers, promotions, recruitment, and procurement within various departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Reliable sources indicated that the accused might attempt to flee the country. Therefore, the travel ban was deemed necessary for a fair investigation.
Previously, the court had imposed a travel ban on eight former ministers and six former members of parliament of the Awami League government. On 29th August, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad As-Sams Joglul Hossain issued the order following another application by the ACC, as confirmed by ACC Public Prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir.
