Travel ban imposed on ex-minister Mozammel, 3 others over graft charges

A Dhaka court today (2 February) imposed travel ban on former liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque and three others over graft charges brought by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The three other people, who have been barred to leave the country, are former additional secretary Farid Aziz, former commissioner of Beanpole Customs House Mohammad Belal Hossain Chowdhury and his wife Hosna Ferdous Sumi.

Dhaka Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib passed the orders, allowing three separate pleas of the ACC.

The anti-graft body in its plea against AKM Mozammel said they are probing allegations of taking commission from contractors', embezzling money through different irregularities and corruption, laundering the money abroad and amassing illegal wealth against the former minister and his family members. 

The former minister is trying to flee the country to evade justice and the embargo should be imposed on his foreign travel, the plea said.

The ACC, in its plea against Mohammad Belal Hossain Chowdhury and his wife, said the commission is probing allegations of amassing illegal wealth of hundreds of crores of taka against the former customs commissioner and his family members. 

He has allegedly bought huge properties at home and abroad, especially in Canada, with the money he amassed through corruption.

The former customs commissioner has huge investment in different developer companies, real estate companies and share market, the ACC said.