NID for case filing will complicate expat property rights: Sekil Chowdhury

The risk and complication concerning the protection of the property of Bangladeshi expatriates will increase following the High Court order to provide national identity (NID) cards while filing any case with a police station or court, said Center for NRB Chairman MS Sekil Chowdhury.

"The order will further intricate the process of protecting the property and resources of sixteen million Bangladeshis living abroad," he said urging the court to revisit its decision.

Sekil Chowdhury said, "People living overseas, who often become subjected to various complications caused by local influential people and sometimes by their own family members, rely on the court as a last resort given any threat to their property and resources at home."

"The new rule will jeopardize their right to protect assets since most of these 16 million expatriates living in 168 countries across the world yet to possess NID card," he added.

He further added that the initiative to provide NIDs to expatriates is a complicated and extensive job that requires additional time and effort. Meanwhile, if these people cannot go to court without NID their assets will become more vulnerable to embezzlement.  

Earlier on 14 June, the High Court passed the order that plaintiffs or complainants must submit a copy of their National Identity Card (NID) to file a case in police stations or courts from now on.