Travel ban imposed on ex-CEC Rakibuddin, 11 others

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on 12 individuals, including former Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed, nine former election commissioners, and two former secretaries of the Election Commission, in connection with a case filed by the BNP.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Minhazur Rahman passed the order on Thursday (August 7) following a petition by the investigation officer. The court was informed that all 12 accused are currently absconding.

The case, filed at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on June 22, accuses the former election officials of failing to perform their constitutional responsibilities and of being complicit in electoral irregularities under the Awami League government. The charge sheet alleges that their actions undermined democracy and served against national interests.

The individuals now under the travel ban include Former CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed, Election Commissioners Mohammad Abu Hafiz, Brig Gen (retd) Jabed Ali, Shah Newaz, Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam, Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury, Ahsan Habib Khan, Md. Alamgir, Anisur Rahman, Former EC Secretaries Helaluddin Ahmed and Mohammad Sadiq.

The court directed immigration authorities to take necessary measures to prevent the accused from leaving the country in the interest of ensuring a fair investigation.

The same case also names former CECs KM Nurul Huda and Kazi Habibul Awal, both of whom have been arrested. Additional accused include Sheikh Hasina and several former and current police chiefs, including IGP Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, AKM Shahidul Haque, Javed Patwary, Benazir Ahmed, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.