Former foreign minister and BNP leader, M Morshed Khan, and his wife Nasrin Khan, did not violate any travel bans when they left Bangladesh for the UK on a chartered flight early Friday, according to his lawyer.
Barrister Khairul Alam Choudhury, an advocate of the Supreme Court, said in a statement that the High Court on August 24, 2017, cleared Morshed and his wife for overseas travel.
The High Court order was also upheld by the Appellate Division, the lawyer added.
Media reports, however, said the two violated a travel ban issued by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) when they left for the UK.
“There is no restriction on their travel from any other court either,” Khairul said. "The ACC, in disregard of the Supreme Court's orders, attempted to restrict the movement of my clients. This is pure contempt of court."
The statement said the former BNP vice chairman and his wife left the country for treatment purposes on May 28.
“They are now considering initiating a contempt proceeding against an ACC lawyer who told the media that Morshed Khan and his wife left the country without obtaining the required order from court,” Khairul said.
“My clients have travelled overseas several times and also entered the country many times without hindrance and obstruction from any authority, whatsoever,” he added.
Both are advanced in age. Morshed Khan has Parkinsons, high diabetes and heart disease, and his wife is suffering from a heart ailment.
“They were compelled to travel overseas for treatment because the hospitals of the country are already over-saturated with all sorts of patients, including COVID -19 patients,” the statement said.
His lawyer urged the ACC to withdraw their statement.
