[🇧🇩] The fate of big guns/beneficiaries of Awami League after the student revolution

[Saif]

Former DNCC mayor Atiqul arrested

Former Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Atiqul Islam was arrested at Mohakhali DOHS yesterday evening.

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Former DNCC mayor Atiqul arrested

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam. File photo

Former Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Atiqul Islam was arrested at Mohakhali DOHS yesterday evening.

He is accused in many cases filed after the fall of the Awami League government, said Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Atiqul, owner of Islam Group of Industries Ltd, is also a former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

After the death of Anisul Haq, the first mayor of DNCC, Atiqul was elected mayor with Awami League nomination in 2019. He was re-elected the next year.

Both the elections were fraught with allegations of irregularities.

After the fall of AL, Atiqul went to the DNCC office in Gulshan on August 18.

As protesters gathered in front of the building, he escaped through the fire escape stairs behind the Nagar Bhaban.

On August 19, the interim government removed all city mayors from their posts.​

 

[Saif]

Travel ban on ex-army chief Aziz, ex-MPs Nizam, Habibur

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Thursday imposed an international travel ban on former army chief General (retired) Aziz Ahmed and his wife...

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Travel ban on ex-army chief Aziz, ex-MPs Nizam, Habibur
Staff Correspondent 17 October, 2024, 14:30

Former army chief General Aziz Ahmed. | File photo

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Thursday imposed an international travel ban on former army chief General (retired) Aziz Ahmed and his wife Dilshad Nahar Kakoli over graft allegations.

The court also issued separate travel bans on Awami League’s former lawmaker Nizam Uddin Hazari of Feni-2 constituency and his wife Nur Jahan Begum, and a former lawmaker for Bogura-5, Habibur Rahman, for their alleged involvement in amassing illegal wealth.

Judge Mohammed As-shams Joglul Hossain passed the orders responding to separate petitions submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission seeking the travel bans, said ACC public prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir.

ACC deputy director Md Zakaria, in his petition, alleged that Aziz Ahmed and his family members amassed a huge amount of wealth beyond their known source of income through abuse of power, irregularities, and corruption.

The ACC also said that there were allegations that they also laundered money to conduct business and purchase property in Malaysia, Singapore, and Dubai.

The court also sent a copy of the order to the special superintendent of police (immigration) of the Special Branch for the next course of action.

On September 4, the ACC decided to initiate an inquiry against the former army chief.

Aziz’s corruption issue came to the fore after the United States had on May 21 imposed sanctions on him and his immediate family members, citing his alleged involvement in serious corruption.

Aziz served as the chief of army staff from June 2018 to June 2021. He also led the Border Guard Bangladesh from 2012 to 2016.

The court on Thursday also issued travel bans on former AL lawmaker Habibur Rahman and Nizam Uddin Hazari following a petition submitted by ACC deputy director Nurul Huda.

Earlier, the ACC decided to investigate allegations against the two former lawmakers of amassing illegal wealth through corruption at home and abroad.​

 

[Saif]

Travel bans slapped on ex-minister Nuruzzaman, ex-MP Iqbalur Rahim

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Sunday slapped travel bans on former social welfare minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed and his wife Hosneara Begum, and former lawmaker...

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Travel bans slapped on ex-minister Nuruzzaman, ex-MP Iqbalur Rahim
Staff Correspondent 21 October, 2024, 00:42

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Sunday slapped travel bans on former social welfare minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed and his wife Hosneara Begum, and former lawmaker Iqbalur Rahman and his wife Nadira Sultana Mukta over allegations of corruption.

Apart from this, travel bans were also imposed on Rongdhonu Group chairman Rafiqul Islam, Noman Group chairman Md Nurul Islam and Shilpakala Academy former director general Liaquat Ali Lucky in connection with graft allegations.

Acting judge Mohammad Ibrahim Mia of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court passed the order following petitions submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission, said ACC public prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir.

ACC deputy director Nur E Alam submitted a petition to the court seeking a travel ban on Rafiqul Islam, mentioning that he may flee the country any time.

According to the allegations, Rafiqul, in collusion with bank officials, took loans of Tk 270 crore from the Bashundhara branch of First Security Islami Bank through a mortgage of a sold land and embezzled the money.

Besides, ACC assistant director Shohidur Rahman filed a petition seeking a travel ban on Noman Group chairman Nurul Islam, mentioning that he may flee the country any time.

According to the allegations, Nurul Islam amassed illegal wealth worth Tk 7,000 crore by taking loans from different banks and financial institutions through forgery and false information.

The court also imposed travel bans on former social welfare minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed and his wife Hosneara Begum and former lawmaker Iqbalur Rahim and his wife Nadira Suultana Mukta.

The ACC in its petitions mentioned that there were allegations against the minister and lawmaker that they amassed illegal wealth at home and abroad through corruption, including abusing power and embezzling public money.

The court, meanwhile, imposed a travel ban on Liaquat Ali Lucky following a petition submitted by ACC assistant director Afnan Jannat Keya seeking the travel ban.

The allegations accused Liaquat Ali Lucky of embezzling hundreds of crores of taka through bribes, recruitment manipulation, power abuse, various irregularities, corruption, and fraudulent bills and vouchers, in addition to laundering a significant amount of money abroad.

The petition said that preventing his departure from the country was necessary for a proper investigation into the allegations.​

 

[Saif]

Graft allegations: Travel ban slapped on Bashundhara boss, family

A Dhaka court yesterday issued a travel ban on Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan Shah Alam and seven members of his family in connection with corruption allegations.

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Graft allegations: Travel ban slapped on Bashundhara boss, family
Travel ban on Bashundhara chairman

A Dhaka court yesterday issued a travel ban on Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan Shah Alam and seven members of his family in connection with corruption allegations.

The family members include Shah Alam's wife Afroza Begum, his four sons -- Sadat Sobhan, Sayem Sobhan Anvir, Safiat Sobhan Sanvir and Safwan Sobhan -- and his daughters-in-law, Sonia Ferdowshi Sobhan and Sabrina Sobhan.

Judge Mohammed Ash-Shams Joglul Hossain of the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court in Dhaka passed the order after the Anti-Corruption Commission officials submitted five separate applications seeking their travel bans.

ACC Public Prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir moved the petition on behalf of the anti-graft watchdog, The Daily Star has learnt from an ACC official involved with the proceedings.

The ACC application said that an inquiry is underway into the graft allegations against Shah Alam, Afroza, Sadat, Anvir, Sanvir, Safwan, Sonia and Sabrina. So, the travel ban is needed to prevent them from leaving the country.

The judge also sent a copy of the order to the special superintendent of police (immigration) of the Special Branch for the next course of action.​

 

[Saif]

Former DMP DB chief Harun's accounts frozen

It will also be investigated whether they have any other income and assets in addition to what was shown on their income tax documents, the CIC official said.

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Former DMP DB chief Harun's accounts frozen
ACC investigation against DB Harun

Harun or Rashid

The bank accounts belonging to former Chief of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Harun Or Rashid and his family members have been frozen.

The Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) sent letters on Monday to the top executives of all banks and financial institutions in this regard.

"The accounts will remain frozen until further orders," a top CIC official said.

Harun's other family members affected by the decision are his wife Shirin Akhter, mother Jahura Khatun, brothers ABM Shahriar and Ziaur Rahman, father-in-law Farid Uddin Ahmed and relative Samraj Mia.

It will also be investigated whether they have any other income and assets in addition to what was shown on their income tax documents, the CIC official said.

​

 

[Saif]

Ex-minister Imran Ahmed arrested

Detectives have arrested Imran Ahmad, former expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister.

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Ex-minister Imran Ahmed arrested

Detectives have arrested Imran Ahmad, former expatriates' welfare and overseas employment minister.

A team of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Imran at the capital's Banani early today, Obaydur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner (media) of the DMP, told The Daily Star.

Talking over the phone around 1:35am today, he said Imran was accused in several cases filed recently. "We may be able to disclose later in which cases he has been shown arrested."

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5, at least 1,695 cases were filed, mostly on murder charges, accusing cabinet members, ministers, lawmakers, and police officers.

At least 75 "high-profile" individuals having ties with the previous government have been arrested so far in those cases, according to sources at the Police Headquarters.​

 

[Saif]

Another murder case filed against Asaduzzaman Noor

A murder case was filed yesterday with the Senior Judicial Magistrate's court in Nilphamari accusing 202 people, including former cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor as prime accused

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Another murder case filed against Asaduzzaman Noor

Star file photo

A murder case was filed yesterday with the Senior Judicial Magistrate's court in Nilphamari accusing 202 people, including former cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor as prime accused.

It is the second murder case in which Noor has been named as prime accused. On September 15, wife of deceased BNP leader Golam Rabbani filed a case against him.

Md Liton Rahman, son of a farmer who was killed in mob violence in Ramganj bazar of Sadar upazila on December 14, 2013, filed the case, reports our Nilphamari correspondent quoting court sources.

According to the case statement, Asaduzzaman Noor, former lawmaker from Nilphamari-2 (Sadar), led a group of 1,000-1,500 people equipped with sharp weapons and attacked his rivals in Ramganj bazar around 3:30pm on that day.

The victim, Siddique Ali, who went to the bazar that day, was critically injured in the attack and was lying on Nilphamari-Ramganj road in front of Noor's vehicle, it read.

Noor, suspecting him as an opponent, and being furious, crushed him to death by driving his vehicle over him, said the case statement.

The plaintiff said due to the fear of repercussions, they could not file any case till now.​

 

[Saif]

Pressure piles on president to step down

The walls seemed to be closing in on President Mohammed Shahabuddin as calls for his resignation grew louder yesterday.

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Pressure piles on president to step down
Students demonstrate in front of Bangabhaban, Central Shaheed Minar, elsewhere in the country

The walls seemed to be closing in on President Mohammed Shahabuddin as calls for his resignation grew louder yesterday.

As more and more people joined demonstrations for his resignation, the government yesterday called him out on his "lies" about Sheikh Hasina's resignation as prime minister.

It all began after Manab Zamin on Sunday published an exclusive interview of him saying that he only heard that Hasina had resigned, but there was no evidence of her resignation.

As several hundred protesters under the banners Raktim July 2024 and Shadhinota-Sharbobhoumotto Rokkha Committee attempted to break through the security barriers in front of the Bangabhaban around 8:30 o' clock last night, police detonated stun grenades.

The protesters then chased the police away.

Five people, including two journalists, suffered minor injuries, witnesses said. Police also hit the protesters with batons and used tear gas shells.

Army personnel were seen trying to calm the situation.

At around 11:30pm, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, two of the most influential organisers of the student movement against discrimination, arrived and requested the protesters to leave, promising that a change would come in two days.

By midnight, most of the protesters left.

Hasnat told the protesters that he would talk to political parties in the presence of the army chief, and by Thursday, choose someone who could be the president.

Sarjis said, "We will discuss and appoint a person to an important post like that of the president. If emotion wins over strategy, we as well as the country will get hurt in the long run."

Unless a rational decision is made by Thursday, "we will join you on the streets".

On Sunday, Manab Zamin's political magazine Janatar Chokh ran an interview of President Shahabuddin with its Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury.

"I tried [to collect the resignation letter] many times but failed. Maybe she did not have the time," Shahabuddin said.

The following day, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul termed the president's remark a lie and that the president's comments were akin to misconduct and if he stuck to his guns, the government should reconsider his position.

According to section 57(a) of the constitution, the prime minister's office shall become vacant if he/she resigns from the office at any time by handing the resignation letter to the president.

Yesterday, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir told a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy that the interim government agreed with Asif's statement.

He, however, stated that the government was yet to make any move to remove Shahabuddin.

Earlier in the day, student leaders demonstrated at the Central Shaheed Minar. They threatened to take to the streets if the government failed to meet their demands within this week.

They said the president lost his moral authority to stay in office.

In another development, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and Information Adviser Nahid Islam held a half-hour long meeting with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at the latter's Supreme Court office around 2:00pm, said Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, SC registrar general.

He did not say what was discussed at the meeting.

As per section 106 of the constitution, if at any time it appears to the president that a question of law has arisen, or is likely to arise, which is of such a nature and of such public importance that it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court upon it, he may refer the question to the Appellate Division for consideration and the division may, after such hearing as it thinks fit, report its opinion thereon to the President.

PROTESTS IN DHAKA AND OUTSIDE

In the capital, demonstrations in front of the Bangabhaban started in the afternoon and the Gulistan road was blocked in the evening.

Protesters under the banner Shadhinota-Sharbobhoumotto Rokkha Committee marched from Dhaka University campus towards the Bangabhaban, reports UNB.

Police stopped them at the High Court Mazar intersection, but they managed to march to the Bangabhaban. They attempted to stage a sit-in inside the Bangabhaban, but the members of law enforcement agencies barred them.

The demonstrators then held a rally outside.

Another group, Raktim July 24, organised a separate sit-in there, demanding the president's removal, the UNB reports.

There were demonstrations in other parts of Dhaka and in different other districts.

In the morning, a group of around 15 protesters gathered near the Bangabhaban, chanting slogans denouncing the president.

Saied Ahmed Sarker, one of the demonstrators, said they also demanded a ban on the Awami League and Chhatra League.

In Barishal, school, college, and university students held a rally at the Ashwini Kumar Hall, demanding the president's resignation and a ban on Chhatra League.

Rajshahi University students demonstrated on the campus.

Similar protests were held in Jhenidah, where students took to the streets around 4:30pm.​