HC declares Alal's oversees travel ban illegal

The High Court yesterday declared illegal the government's action of obstructing BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal at Shahjalal International Airport for 17 times for going abroad since 2013.

The court also directed the authorities concerned of the government not to create any obstruction for Alal while going abroad or returning home in future.

The HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan came up with the verdict after hearing a writ petition filed by Alal challenging the legality of the government decision to prevent him from leaving the country.

Sagir Hossain Leon, a lawyer for Alal, told The Daily Star that the immigration authorities had prevented his client from going abroad by keeping him waiting at the Dhaka airport for 17 times since 2013.

The immigration authorities also lodged 17 alternative general diaries (GDs). The HC declared the alternative GDs illegal, he said.

The lawyer also said the HC delivered the verdict on the grounds that every citizen has right to free movement all over the world.