Court imposes travel ban on ex-MP Atiur, his wife and 15 others over graft allegations

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on former lawmaker of Sherpur-1 constituency Md Atiur Rahman Atik, his wife Shantona Begum, and 15 others in connection with two separate corruption inquiries.

The order was issued on Saturday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib following petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said Akhtarul Islam, public relations officer of ACC, UNB reports. 

In one petition, the ACC sought to bar Atik and his wife from leaving the country, stating that an inquiry is underway into allegations of embezzling public funds through various irregularities and corruption and amassing illegal wealth in the names of Atik and his family members.

The petition said credible sources had indicated that the accused might attempt to flee the country, which would hamper the investigation.

In a separate petition, the ACC requested a travel ban on 15 others accused in a Tk 490 crore loan scam involving Broadway Real Estate Limited and National Bank’s Mohakhali branch.

The 15 individuals include Monowara Sikder, wife of late Sikder Group chairman Zainul Haque Sikder and director of National Bank’s board; Arif Hasan, managing director of Desh Television, chairman of Hasan Telecom Ltd, and shareholder of Broadway Real Estate; Mohammad Sharif Uzzaman Khan, managing director of Broadway Real Estate; Md Ismail, chairman; Mohammad Fazle Rabbi and Tawseef Saifullah, both directors of the company.

Others named are Syed Rais Uddin, former branch manager and deputy managing director of National Bank; ASM Bulbul, former company secretary and additional managing director; MA Wadud, former additional managing director; CM Ahmed, former managing director; Parveen Haque Sikder, former director; Moazzem Hossain, current director; Khalilur Rahman and Mabrur Hossain, both former directors; and Md Rojob Ali, a former sub-registrar.

According to the ACC, the accused colluded to misuse power and breach trust to approve and disburse the loan to Broadway Real Estate. Of the sanctioned amount, Tk 462 crore was allegedly withdrawn in cash and misused for purposes beyond the loan's stated intent.

As of November 30 last year, the defaulted loan had accrued Tk 178.89 crore in interest and other charges, resulting in substantial financial losses.

The ACC argued that the accused might flee the country to avoid prosecution, and therefore, a travel ban was necessary to ensure a proper investigation.