Travel Ban Imposed on Sixteen in Bank Case

A court in Dhaka has imposed a travel ban on sixteen individuals, including former chairman of Basic Bank Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu, in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation involving the alleged misappropriation of bank funds.

The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Sabbir Faiz following a petition submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission. The information was confirmed by court bench assistant Mohammad Riaz Hossain.

According to court documents, the travel restriction aims to prevent the accused from leaving the country while the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities continues. Investigators believe that the suspects may attempt to leave the country to evade further legal proceedings, which could hinder the ongoing inquiry.

Individuals Placed Under Travel Ban

The application seeking the travel restriction was submitted by Mohammad Shah Jalal, deputy assistant director of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the investigating officer in the case. In his petition, he informed the court that several of the accused had previously been subject to a temporary travel restriction issued on 1 January 2024 by a former investigating officer.

That earlier order barred certain suspects from travelling abroad for sixty days. However, after the restriction period expired, one of the accused applied for the removal of the ban, prompting investigators to seek a renewed and broader order covering all individuals named in the case.

Allegations in the Case

According to the investigation, the accused allegedly acted in collusion and abused their official authority to withdraw and misappropriate approximately BDT 84 million from the Gulshan branch of Basic Bank. Investigators claim that the funds were withdrawn through irregular procedures and misused for personal gain, representing a serious breach of trust and financial regulations.

The case was formally filed following the discovery of the alleged financial irregularities. After an initial investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on 12 June 2023. However, the Special Judge Court-1 later returned the case to the Anti-Corruption Commission with several observations and ordered further investigation to clarify certain aspects of the allegations.

As a result, the inquiry remains ongoing, with investigators reviewing financial records, internal bank documents, and other evidence linked to the transactions.

Investigation Status

Authorities have also noted that one of the originally named accused, Korban Ali, has since died.

Investigators claim that confidential sources indicate some suspects may be attempting to leave the country. If they were to flee abroad, officials believe it could significantly obstruct the investigation and judicial process.

For this reason, the court deemed it necessary to restrict their international travel until the inquiry is completed and the case proceeds through the legal system. The Anti-Corruption Commission has stated that it will continue gathering evidence and pursuing the matter to ensure accountability in the alleged financial misconduct.