NBR Secretary’s Assets Seized, Travel Restricted

The High Court has ordered the seizure of properties and the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Tarek Hasan, Additional Commissioner and First Secretary of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), while simultaneously imposing a travel ban to prevent him from leaving the country.

The ruling was issued on Thursday by Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz of Dhaka Metropolitan Court, following petitions submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC, represented by Deputy Director Al Amin, filed two applications: one seeking the seizure and freezing of Hasan’s assets and bank accounts, and another requesting a restriction on his international travel.

According to the court order, the assets subject to seizure include a 1,998-square-foot flat in the South Khan area of Dhaka and 15 decimals of land in Chandpur. In addition, the order covers the freezing of two bank accounts, three fixed deposits (FDRs), three Beneficiary Owner (BO) accounts, and four life insurance policies.

The ACC’s petitions revealed that ongoing verification and investigation of Hasan’s asset declarations had uncovered multiple properties and financial instruments registered under his name. Investigators found that Hasan holds:

The ACC further informed the court that intelligence reports suggest Hasan was attempting to transfer some of his assets to undisclosed locations, raising concerns that the assets could be concealed or dissipated. The petitions emphasised that immediate seizure and freezing of both immovable and movable assets were essential to safeguard the ongoing investigation.

Additionally, the ACC petition highlighted the risk that Hasan could flee the country, prompting the need for a travel ban. The court concurred with the ACC’s submissions, instructing authorities to ensure that Hasan’s overseas travel is strictly prohibited until the investigation is concluded.

Legal experts note that such measures are critical in high-profile corruption cases, as they prevent the diversion of assets and ensure the integrity of financial investigations. The ACC has previously emphasised that prompt judicial intervention in cases involving senior government officials sends a strong signal regarding accountability and transparency in public service.

The court’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of senior NBR officials’ asset declarations, underscoring Bangladesh’s continuing efforts to tackle corruption at high levels of government.