Court imposes travel ban on GM Quader, wife amid graft probe
The order was issued today (4 September) by Dhaka Metropolitan Acting Senior Special Judge Ibrahim Mia, following a petition filed by the ACC
A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on Jatiyo Party Chairman Golam Mohammad (GM) Quader and his wife, Sharifa Quader, in connection with an ongoing Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into allegations of amassing wealth illegally through corruption and abuse of power.
The order was issued today (4 September) by Dhaka Metropolitan Acting Senior Special Judge Ibrahim Mia, following a petition filed by the ACC.
ACC's Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development.
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The court order stated, "The accused are under investigation on allegations of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income through corruption and abuse of power. There is a risk that the accused may leave the country, which would disrupt or prolong the investigation. Considering the seriousness of the allegations and the petition filed by the investigating officer, a travel ban on GM Quader and Sharifa Quader is deemed necessary."
The court also directed the Special Branch's Special Superintendent of Police (Immigration-Administration) and other concerned authorities to take necessary steps to enforce the order.
According to the ACC's allegations, after the 2018 general election, GM Quader accepted Tk18.1 crore in bribes for nominating a candidate to a reserved women's seat, from which he was the prime beneficiary. When the promised payment was not completed, then party leader Professor Masuda M Rashid Chowdhury was temporarily suspended, and her seat was instead given to GM Quader's wife, Sharifa Quader.
The allegations further state that GM Quader fraudulently assumed the post of Jatiyo Party chairman, engaged in trading party positions and nominations, and laundered significant sums abroad.
While the Jatiyo Party central committee is supposed to have 301 members, the number currently stands at 600 to 650 - allegedly as evidence of "position trading."
Affidavits submitted during the 2024 national election show GM Quader declaring Tk49.88 lakh in cash, Tk35.95 lakh in bank deposits, and a jeep valued at Tk84.98 lakh.
His wife Sherifa declared Tk59.59 lakh in cash, Tk28.09 lakh in bank deposits, and another jeep valued at Tk80 lakh. She also owns land and flats in Lalmonirhat and Dhaka.
Elected as an MP for the first time in 1996, GM Quader has served as leader of the opposition in parliament and was the minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism as well as Commerce between 2009 and 2014.
