Embargo on Leaving Country: ACC petition seeks stay on HC verdict to formulate law

Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday moved a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking stay on the High Court verdict over formulating a specific law or rule regarding imposition of embargo on corruption suspects or accused from leaving the country.

After a brief hearing, Chamber judge of the SC's Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hassan adjourned hearing till March 28.

ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan submitted the petition.

In the petition, the commission said if ACC is to take permission from the special judge's court for imposing embargo on any corruption suspect or accused leaving the country, the inquiry or investigation against him or her will face obstacles.

Delivering verdict on a petition, the HC on March 16 observed that a specific law or rule is needed soon regarding imposition of embargo on corruption suspects or accused leaving the country.

There is no specific law or rule to ban people, against whom inquiries or investigations are underway in connection with corruption allegations or cases, from leaving the country, the court said.

The bench came up with the judgment after it heard a petition filed by one Ataur Rahman from Narsingdi challenging the ACC's action to restrain him from going abroad as a graft allegation against him was being inquired.

The court declared the ACC action illegal and allowed Ataur to go to Sweden where he lives with his family.

ACC issued a notice on August 24, 2020, asking Ataur, known as Sweden Ataur, to submit his wealth statement to the commission.

After he submitted the statement, the anti-graft body started an inquiry into his wealth and on December 20 that year, and issued a letter to the immigration police to refrain Ataur from going to Sweden.

Ataur then filed the petition with the HC.

Yesterday. Ataur's lawyer told the apex court that he will not leave the county until March 28, the date for hearing the ACC petition.