A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on sixteen individuals, including former chairman of Basic Bank Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu, in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation concerning the alleged misappropriation of millions of taka from the bank’s Gulshan branch.
The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Sabbir Faiz after considering a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Court bench assistant Mohammad Riaz Hossain confirmed the development, stating that the restriction was deemed necessary to prevent the accused from leaving the country while the investigation continues.
Investigators told the court that intelligence reports suggested several suspects might attempt to travel abroad to evade legal proceedings. Authorities argued that such actions could obstruct the investigation and delay the judicial process. The court subsequently granted the request, prohibiting the individuals from leaving the country until further notice.
Individuals Under Travel Restriction
| Name | Former Position or Role |
|---|---|
| Sheikh Abdul Hye Bacchu | Former Chairman, Basic Bank |
| AKM Sazedur Rahman | Former Managing Director |
| Kazi Fakhrul Islam | Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer |
| Fazlus Sobhan | Deputy Managing Director |
| Shah Alam Bhuiyan | Former General Manager and Company Secretary |
| Jahangir Akhand Selim | Former Director |
| Fakhrul Islam | Former Director |
| Shubhashish Bose | Former Director |
| Nilufar Ahmed | Former Director |
| Dr Kazi Akhtar Hossain | Former Director |
| Anwarul Islam | Former Director |
| Sipar Ahmed | Former Branch Manager, Gulshan Branch |
| Yasir Ahmed Khan | Managing Director, Tahmina Denim Limited |
| Kamal Zaman Molla | Chairman, Tahmina Denim Limited |
| Kazi Rizwana Mominul Haque | Director |
| Jasim Uddin Chowdhury | Chief Surveyor |
Allegations of Financial Misconduct
According to investigators, the accused allegedly acted in collusion and abused their positions of authority to unlawfully withdraw approximately BDT 84 million from the Gulshan branch of Basic Bank. Officials believe the funds were diverted through irregular lending and withdrawal procedures and subsequently misappropriated for personal benefit.
The alleged actions constitute a breach of financial regulations and criminal breach of trust, prompting the Anti-Corruption Commission to open an investigation into the matter. The case was formally filed following the discovery of suspicious financial transactions and internal irregularities within the bank.
Case Timeline
| Key Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Charge sheet submitted | 12 June 2023 | Initial investigation report filed in court |
| Temporary travel restriction | 1 January 2024 | Sixty-day travel ban imposed on several suspects |
| Further investigation ordered | Subsequent court directive | Special Judge Court requested additional inquiry |
| New travel ban issued | 9 March 2026 | Court barred sixteen individuals from leaving the country |
Although an earlier court order had imposed a temporary travel ban for sixty days beginning on 1 January 2024, the restriction expired after the specified period. One of the accused later sought the removal of the travel prohibition, prompting investigators to apply for a renewed and broader restriction covering all individuals named in the case.
Following submission of the charge sheet in June 2023, the Special Judge Court responsible for handling corruption cases reviewed the documents and returned the matter to the Anti-Corruption Commission with observations, directing further investigation to clarify aspects of the alleged financial misconduct. As a result, investigators are continuing to examine bank records, transaction documents, and other financial evidence.
Authorities have also confirmed that one of the originally named accused, Korban Ali, has since died.
Officials emphasised that restricting the suspects’ travel is essential to ensure their availability for questioning and possible trial. The Anti-Corruption Commission has reiterated its commitment to pursuing the investigation thoroughly in order to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to financial governance standards within the banking sector.