A court has imposed a travel ban on six officials, including a director of Petrobangla and the managing director of Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), in connection with three separate allegations of corruption, accumulation of illegal wealth, and money laundering.
The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz following hearings on three separate petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The matter was confirmed by the court’s bench assistant, Md Riaz Hossain.
Those barred from travelling abroad are: Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Director of Petrobangla; A Samad Mridha, Managing Director of Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL); Mahbubul Haque, Chairman of International Leasing and Financial Services Limited; Mohammad Emdadul Islam, Managing Director of International Leasing; Rezaul Islam, Company Secretary of International Leasing; and Abu Md Al Mamun, Head of Recovery at International Leasing.
According to ACC Assistant Director Piyas Pal, Petrobangla Director Rafiqul Islam is accused of selling information on the country’s gas reserves to foreigners, providing illegal gas connections, and amassing Tk 1 billion in illegal assets through irregularities in recruitment and promotion. In the petition, the ACC stated that reliable sources indicated Rafiqul Islam could flee the country at any time.
Meanwhile, the ACC is investigating allegations against EDCL Managing Director A Samad Mridha over tender manipulation involving purchases worth several crores of taka and the laundering of money abroad. ACC Assistant Director Nurul Islam stated in his petition that preventing Mridha from travelling abroad was essential to ensure a fair investigation.
In addition, investigations are under way into allegations of money laundering against the chairman, managing director, and four other officials of International Leasing, identified as close associates of Prashanta Kumar (P K) Halder. ACC Deputy Director Moshiur Rahman sought travel bans on them, citing concerns that they might leave the country.
The court approved all the petitions, imposed travel restrictions on the individuals concerned, and directed that copies of the order be sent to the Special Branch (SB) of the police.
