Travel ban on ex-minister Mustafa Kamal, family members

A Dhaka court today issued a travel ban on former finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, his wife Kashmiri Kamal and their two daughters -- Kashfi Kamal and Nafisa Kamal -- in four cases filed for allegedly amassing illegal wealth worth Tk165 crore through abusing power.

Judge Md Zakir Hossain of Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court passed the order after ACC Deputy Director Muhammad Nurul Huda, also the investigation officer of the case, submitted an application in this regard.

ACC Public Prosecutor Ruhul Islam Khan moved the application on behalf of the anti-graft body.

In application, the ACC official said that they amassed the amount of money through corruption and illegal means which is now under investigation.

"During the investigation, it was learned from reliable sources that the former minister and his family members might flee the country anytime," he said.

"If they flee abroad, the investigation into the corruption allegations will be hampered. So, a travel ban is needed to prevent them from going abroad," said the ACC.

The judge also ordered the ACC to send an order sheet to the special superintendent of police (immigration) of the Special Branch for the next course of action.

On February 13, the ACC filed a case against them with its Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1 for their alleged involvement with the corruption.

According to the case statements, Mustafa Kamal is accused of illegally amassing Tk 27.52 crore, his wife Kashmiri Kamal Tk 46.11 crore, his daughter Kashfi Kamal Tk 31.58 crore, and Nafisa Kamal Tk 62 crore.

Additionally, the ACC has identified significant deposits across multiple bank accounts linked to the family.

A total of Tk 234.86 crore was found in 32 accounts associated with Mustafa Kamal and his organisation. Kashmiri Kamal has Tk 18.79 crore in 20 accounts, Kashfi Kamal has Tk 90.60 crore in 38 accounts, and Nafisa Kamal has Tk 102.15 crore in 17 accounts.

On August 22 last year, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) asked banks to freeze the accounts of Mustafa Kamal, 77, and his wife Kashmiri Kamal, 71, and their daughters Kashfi Kamal, 48, and Nafisa Kamal, 44.

The same court issued a travel ban on former Awami League lawmaker from Jashore-3 constituency, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, his mother Ameenah Ahmed and two brothers Kazi Anis Ahmed and Kazi Inam Ahmed in connection with corruption allegations brought against them.

Judge Zakir Hossain passed the order after ACC Deputy Director Rezaul Karim, who is leading the inquiry team, submitted an application in this regard.