Travel ban imposed on ex-minister Nahid, 8 others

A court in Dhaka on Monday imposed a travel ban on former education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, his wife KU Johra Jesmin and seven others over graft allegations.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib passed the orders, allowing four separate pleas of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The other people, who have been barred by the court from leaving the country, are Orion Group Chairman Obaidul Karim, his wife Arjuda Karim, son Salman Obaidul Karim, daughter Jerin Karim, Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) vice-president Abdur Rashid Shikder, Public Works Department Deputy Divisional Engineer Sanjay Halder, and his wife Anika Ghosh.

The ACC in its plea against Nahid and his wife said the anti-graft body is probing allegations of amassing illegal wealth and keeping those under their possession. They are trying to escape the country to evade justice and the ban should be imposed on them, the plea said.

The Orion Group boss, his family members and the company are accused of laundering money abroad and the ACC said the allegations are believed to be authentic as per its primary investigation. The accused are trying to flee the country and the ACC pleaded to impose the travel ban on them.