Corruption Allegations: Travel ban on former minister Muktadir, wife

A Dhaka court yesterday issued a travel ban on former housing and public works minister RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury and his wife Fahima Khatun in connection with corruption allegations brought against them.

Judge Md Zakir Hossain of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court passed the order following an application filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Assistant Director Abu Mohammad Anwarul Masud, who is leading the inquiry team.

ACC Public Prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir moved the application on behalf of the anti-graft body.

In the application, the ACC stated that Obaidul Muktadir allegedly amassed huge moveable and immoveable assets using his political influence.

"The ACC official came to know from a credible source that the couple was attempting to flee the country. If they flee, inquiry into the allegations brought against them might be hampered. So, an order is needed to prevent them from doing so," read the ACC's application.

Muktadir, a former Awami League lawmaker from Brahmanbaria-3, was arrested from Dhaka's Nakhalpara area on November 1 last year.

He was later placed on a five-day remand in a case filed over the death of BNP activist Mokbul during a political rally in Dhaka's Paltan on December 7, 2022.

Muktadir was first elected in a by-election in 2011 and went on to serve as a four-time member of parliament.