After the horse has bolted: Travel ban issued against Shamim Osman, his family members

Dhaka, 25 Feb  – A Dhaka court on Tuesday issued an order to prevent former Narayanganj-4 Member of Parliament (MP) Shamim Osman, along with his wife Salma Osman, son Imtinan Osman, and daughter Labiba Johar, from leaving the country.

But as with almost every travel ban issued against senior AL politicians in the post-August 5 era, it is bound to be mocked by citizens as an eyewash, since Osman alongside most of his family is known to have fled the country already. So it comes after the proverbial horse has already bolted.

The order was passed by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib, following an application filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the ACC's application, Shamim Osman is under investigation for his alleged involvement in embezzling funds from various government development projects.

The charges include operating syndicated tender trading, extorting money in multiple sectors, accepting commissions from transport and jute traders, trading party positions and nominations, and engaging in land grabbing.

Furthermore, he is accused of laundering money abroad, acquiring properties in Canada and the United States, operating businesses in Dubai, and accumulating assets worth hundreds of crores of taka in his and his family members' names.

Last week, a similar order was issued against ex-finance minister AHM Mostofa Kamal, better known as Lotus Kamal, alongside his family members.