TDS Desk:

A court has issued a travel ban on 18 former ministers and eight members of parliament (MPs) as part of an ongoing investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Ash Sams Joglul Hossain issued the order Monday (2 September) following separate petitions filed by the ACC, confirmed ACC Court Inspector Amir Hossain.

Those barred from leaving the country include former foreign minister Mohammad Hasan Mahmud, former state minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, former state minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former state minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain, former Expatriates’ Welfare minister Imran Ahmed, former state minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Md Enamul Haque, former state minister for Local Government, Rural Development, and Co-operatives Swapan Bhattacharjee, former Commerce minister Tipu Munshi, former state minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman, former Law minister Anisul Haque, former minister for Local Government Md Tazul Islam, former minister of Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan, former Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, former state minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel, former state minister for Disaster Management Md Mohibbur Rahman, former minister for Water Resources Anwar Hossain, and former Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu.

Additionally, former MPs Benzir Ahmed, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Shahidul Islam Bakul, AKM Sarwar Jahan, Sheikh Afil Uddin, Meher Afroze, Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud, and Sheikh Helal Uddin have also been barred from leaving the country.

Previously on the same day, ACC Deputy Director Md Jahangir Alam submitted a petition seeking a travel ban on 10 former ministers and 3 MPs.

During the hearing, ACC Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam argued the case. After the hearing, the court granted the order.

In another petition, ACC Deputy Director Md Mostafizur Rahman sought a travel ban on 8 more former ministers and 5 MPs, which was also granted after a hearing led by ACC Public Prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir.