Court bars former Awami League ministers Nanak, Tajul from leaving country

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former jute and textile minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, his wife Syeda Arjuman Banu, and their daughter S Amreen Rakhi.

A similar restriction has also been imposed on AB Tajul Islam, former state minister for Liberation War affairs.

The orders were passed on Sunday by Dhaka’s Senior Metropolitan Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib, following petitions submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam, the petition was filed by ACC Director Jalal Uddin Ahmed.

According to the petition, there is a risk that Nanak and his family might flee the country, which could obstruct legal proceedings in the ongoing case.

A separate petition was submitted by ACC Assistant Director Habibur Rahman to bar Tajul from leaving the country, citing an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal wealth accumulation.

The ACC argued that Tajul may attempt to evade justice by leaving the country at any time.

On Jan 15, the ACC filed a case against Nanak, Arjuman, and Rakhi, accusing them of laundering Tk 2.6 billion through a telecom company.

According to the case statement, Arjuman and Rakhi previously served as chairperson and director of Ratul Telecom Limited. During their tenure, they allegedly laundered approximately Tk 2.6 billion using Nanak’s influence.