Dhaka Court Restricts Travel of Former City Bank Director and Family
Bdbusinessdaily.com – A Dhaka court has imposed a travel restriction on former City Bank director AKM Zakaria Hossain Chowdhury, his wife Sabrina Chowdhury, and their daughter Ainab Chowdhury while an Anti-Corruption Commission inquiry examines allegations of corruption and money laundering.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Shahjahan Kabir issued the order last Thursday after the Anti-Corruption Commission sought a ban on their departure from Bangladesh. Tanzir Ahmed, assistant director of the commission’s public relations department, confirmed the development yesterday, 27 September.
The application for the restriction was submitted by ACC Assistant Director Md Mahabub Morshed. It asked the court to prevent Zakaria and his immediate family members from travelling abroad during the inquiry.
Inquiry Focuses on Alleged Overseas Assets
The ACC is examining allegations that Zakaria moved nearly Tk1,000 crore outside Bangladesh and acquired apartments and several houses in the United Kingdom, Dubai and Bali.
Information and records gathered during the inquiry led investigators to raise concerns that Zakaria, his wife and daughter might leave Bangladesh and potentially avoid the investigation. The court order is intended to keep them available for questioning and for any further investigative steps considered necessary.
If they leave the country, the ongoing inquiry could be hampered, creating serious obstacles to recording necessary statements, collecting important information, evidence and other materials, and effectively investigating assets linked to the allegations.
The application said the travel restriction was needed so that the inquiry could proceed without disruption. It also stressed the importance of obtaining statements, reviewing evidence and examining information connected to the assets under scrutiny.
What the Order Means
The court’s direction prevents the three people named in the order from leaving the country while the ACC inquiry continues. Such an order is an investigative measure and does not, by itself, determine whether any of the allegations have been proven.
The underlying inquiry remains focused on whether funds were allegedly transferred abroad and whether overseas properties connected to the allegations can be properly examined. Investigators may need to collect documents, review financial information and seek statements relevant to the matter before reaching any conclusion.
Keeping those under inquiry within the country can be significant for the practical conduct of a case. Investigators may need to call individuals for explanations, compare their responses with available records and examine the origins of assets mentioned in an application. A travel ban can also reduce the risk of delays where a person’s presence is required during an active inquiry.
In this case, the ACC’s request was directed not only at Zakaria but also at Sabrina Chowdhury and Ainab Chowdhury. The application identified concerns that all three could leave the country, which the commission said could make it more difficult to complete the inquiry effectively.
No Final Finding at This Stage
The allegations concerning nearly Tk1,000 crore and properties in the United Kingdom, Dubai and Bali are still subject to investigation. The court order should not be read as a final ruling on criminal liability or ownership of any asset.
For now, the immediate effect is procedural: Zakaria, his wife and daughter cannot travel outside Bangladesh under the court’s direction. The ACC inquiry will continue as investigators assess the materials collected and pursue information needed to address the allegations.
The case also highlights the importance of distinguishing between an inquiry, an allegation and a final judicial finding. A court may take steps to protect an investigation when authorities present concerns that evidence, statements or access to relevant individuals could be affected. Whether the allegations ultimately lead to further legal action will depend on the outcome of the ongoing inquiry and the evidence reviewed through the legal process.
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