A court has imposed a travel ban on former Member of Parliament for Habiganj-4, Barrister Saydul Haque Sumon, and his wife, Chhammi Akter, amid allegations of corruption.
On Monday (May 26), Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC’s public relations officer, Akhtarul Islam, confirmed the matter.
According to the petition filed by ACC Deputy Director A.K.M. Mahbubur Rahman, Barrister Suman is currently under investigation for allegedly acquiring wealth beyond his known sources of income.
The petition stated that credible sources had indicated Sumon was planning to flee the country and might attempt to transfer his movable and immovable assets abroad. Such an action could severely disrupt the ongoing investigation. Therefore, the ACC argued, it was necessary to prohibit his departure from the country.
Barrister Sumon was arrested in the early hours of October 21 last year from the Mirpur-6 area of Dhaka. The following day, he was taken into five-day remand for questioning. On October 28, after completing the remand, he was sent to jail. He was later shown arrested in several other cases and remains in prison to date.
The situation has sparked mixed reactions across the political landscape and among citizens. While many support firm action against corruption in public interest, others have raised concerns about ensuring due process and the protection of human rights during the proceedings.
