Travel ban imposed on former Petrobangla director Rafiqul, EDCL MD over graft charges
ACC said it is probing Samad Mridha for alleged money laundering abroad and Rafiqul Islam for amassing Tk100 crore in illegal assets.
A Dhaka court today (2 February) imposed travel bans on former director of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) Rafiqul Islam and Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) Managing Director Md A Samad Mridha over corruption allegations.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the orders following two separate applications filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Court Bench Assistant Md Riaz Hossain confirmed.
ACC Assistant Director Piyas Pal filed an application seeking a travel ban on Rafiqul Islam, while ACC Assistant Director Nurul Islam submitted a separate application seeking a travel ban on Samad Mridha.
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The application against Rafiqul Islam said an investigation is underway into allegations that he amassed illegal assets worth Tk100 crore through various corrupt practices, including unlawful gas connections and reconnections, gas bill waivers, irregularities in recruitment and promotion, payments to contractors, and selling information on the country's gas reserves to foreign entities.
It added that, according to reliable sources, Rafiqul Islam may flee abroad, making a travel ban necessary to ensure a fair investigation.
Meanwhile, the application against Samad Mridha said a two-member team is investigating allegations that he laundered crores of taka abroad in collusion with others.
It said he allegedly embezzled large sums through tender dealings in various EDCL procurements and attempted to leave the country after siphoning off the funds. His departure could delay or disrupt the investigation.
The application said a travel ban is therefore necessary to prevent him from fleeing abroad.
