Former APS of Asif Mahmud denied permission to travel to Thailand

The court has rejected an application filed by Muazzem Hossain, former assistant personal secretary, APS, to former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, seeking permission to travel to Thailand for medical treatment.

After a hearing on Tuesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Fayez dismissed the application. Advocate Md Raihan represented Muazzem Hossain during the hearing.

During arguments, the defence lawyer told the court that Muazzem Hossain had been implicated in the case through conspiracy and that he was not involved in any anti-state activities or actions that could disrupt law and order. He further stated that Muazzem suffered a serious spinal cord injury after a fall and was experiencing continuous fluid discharge from the injury site. Given his condition, advanced medical treatment in Thailand was necessary, the court was told.

The lawyer also informed the court that Muazzem had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for February 15.

However, after hearing arguments from all parties, the court rejected his application to travel abroad. Bench assistant Riaz Hossain confirmed the matter.

Following the July mass uprising and the fall of the Awami League government, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan was appointed an adviser to the interim government as a student representative. He later appointed his university friend Muazzem Hossain as his APS.

Subsequently, allegations emerged that Muazzem Hossain had abused his position as APS to engage in lobbying and tender manipulation, amassing assets worth hundreds of crores of taka. In light of these allegations, he was relieved of his duties on April 21 last year.

On May 22, the Anti-Corruption Commission questioned him. Two days later, the court imposed a travel ban on him and ordered the blocking of his national identity card.