Matiur leaves country a day before imposition of travel restrictions

Much talked-about government officer Matiur Rahman has reportedly left the country, a day before the imposition of international travel restrictions by a court in Dhaka.

Local news portals said Matiur went to India through Akhaura land port on Sunday afternoon. He may go to the United Arab Emirates from India.

Allegations of amassing illegal wealth by Matiur Rahman came into the limelight after a video on the purchase of a goat at Tk 1.5 million by his son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat went viral on social media before Eid-ul-Azha.

Matiur Rahman was the president of the National Board of Revenue's Customs, Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal.

Senior Special Judge of Dhaka Mohammad Ash-Shams Jaglul Hossain imposed an overseas travel ban on Matiur Rahman, his first wife Laila Kaniz Laki and their son Tawfiqur Rahman Arnab on Monday morning.

On Sunday, he was removed from the position and attached to the Internal Resources Division under the Ministry of Finance with immediate effect amid controversy over his wealth.

Besides, Matiur was also removed from the post of director of state-owned Sonali Bank PLC.

The ACC also formed a three-member body to investigate these allegations.

Local news portals also said Matiur Rahman’s second wife Shammi Akter and their children Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat and Iftima Rahman Madhabi already left the country. They reportedly went to Malaysia after the Eid.