Has a travel ban been imposed on Sheikh Hasina's former military secretary?

Dhaka, Aug 19 (NationPress) A court in Dhaka has enforced a travel restriction on Major General (Retd.) Salahuddin Miaji, the former military secretary of Bangladesh's ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with three of his family members, due to allegations of corruption.

The travel ban affects Miaji's wife, Nazma Begum, and their daughters, Samiha Sabnam and Raisa Sabnam, as reported by the prominent newspaper Daily Star. The decision was made by Judge Zakir Hossain Galib of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court after ACC Deputy Director Rezaul Karim submitted a request for the ban.

In his submission, the ACC official alleged that Miaji, who previously served as a lawmaker for the Jhenaidah-3 constituency, unlawfully acquired substantial wealth through corrupt practices. He reportedly misused his authority to seize land in Chanchra union of Jashore and developed a park on 400 bighas of land.

The ACC claimed they received credible information indicating that Miaji and his family were attempting to leave the country. If they succeeded, it would obstruct the ongoing investigation into the allegations against them. The ACC argued for this order to prevent their escape, as reported.

Salahuddin Miaji and his brother-in-law were apprehended on February 18 at his private Shyamol Chhaya Park in Rudrapur village, located in Chanchra union of Jashore Sadar Upazila. Prior to their arrest, local students and residents had surrounded them. Joint forces arrived at the scene, detained both men, and subsequently handed them over to police.

On a related note, a court in Bangladesh recently ordered former Law Minister Anisul Huq to be taken into custody concerning two cases tied to protests that occurred last July.

Additionally, former Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed was arrested in a separate case related to alleged election misconduct, according to local media reports.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Monirul Islam issued the order after the accused were presented before the court, agreeing to the request of investigating officers to formally arrest Anisul Huq.

Huq faces charges related to the alleged murder of an electrician, Mohammad Shawon Sikder, and the attempted murder of another individual, Ashraful alias Fahin, during last summer's protests, as reported by the Bangladeshi daily Jugantor.

Local media highlighted that Shawon was shot dead on July 19 last year in front of Eden College in Dhaka while he was returning home amidst the protests. Following that incident, a case was lodged against Sheikh Hasina and 40 others on January 21.

In a separate incident, Ashraful filed a case on May 25 against Hasina and 130 others, alleging he was shot during protests in Azimpur government colony on July 18.

Meanwhile, Helal Uddin was also shown to be arrested in a case concerning allegations of election fraud and treason.

BNP leader Salah Uddin Khan initiated this case on June 22 at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station, accusing three former chief election commissioners and 24 others of manipulating the 10th to 12th parliamentary elections.

On June 25, additional charges including treason, fraud, and embezzlement were leveled against them.

These recent events are unfolding amid a broad crackdown on leaders of the Awami League and associated officials under the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus.