Staff Correspondent:

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on eight individuals, including Shafique Ahmed Siddique, the husband of Sheikh Rehana, in connection with a massive embezzlement probe involving the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant project.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order on Tuesday following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). ACC spokesperson Akterul Islam confirmed the development.

The others barred from leaving the country include Tarique Siddique’s wife, Shaheen Siddique, and four daughters from both families: Bushra Siddique, Nawreen Tasmia Siddique, Shehtaj Munnasy Khan, and Pariza Pynaz Khan. Former army officer Lt. Colonel (dismissed) Shahid Uddin Khan and his wife, Farzana Anjum, are also named.

According to the ACC’s petition, a Tk 59,000 crore embezzlement scheme related to the construction of the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant is currently under investigation. A seven-member inquiry team has been formed to examine the allegations, which involve the accused allegedly using a company named Prochchhaya Limited to siphon funds from the project.

The ACC told the court that credible sources indicated the suspects were making secret preparations to leave the country along with their families, prompting the urgent travel restriction request. If they fled, key documents and evidence might be lost, potentially hampering the ongoing investigation.

The court directed the Bangladesh Police’s Special Branch to enforce the travel ban and take necessary steps to prevent the accused from leaving the country.

The Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bangladesh’s largest ongoing energy project, has been a focal point for scrutiny amid concerns about corruption and financial irregularities.