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Travel ban issued on GM Quader, wife

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 15:14 GMT by The Daily Star
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Travel Ban Imposed on GM Quader’s Wife Amid Corruption Probe

The Bangladesh police, acting on a directive from the Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC), have issued a formal travel ban against the wife of former Fisheries and Livestock Minister Ghulam Quader. The move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into a high‑profile corruption case that has drawn national attention and prompted a wave of calls for accountability within the ruling party and the wider political establishment.

1. Background: Who is GM Quader?

Ghulam Quader, often simply called “Quader” in political circles, served as Bangladesh’s Minister of Fisheries and Livestock from 2009 to 2014. A senior member of the Bangladesh Awami League, he has been a long‑time Member of Parliament for the Tangail district. During his ministerial tenure, Quader was implicated in a series of allegations concerning the diversion of public funds, irregular procurement practices, and possible bribery involving state agencies. His name has resurfaced repeatedly in investigative reports by local media and international watchdogs, and in 2023 the ACC lodged formal charges against him for alleged malfeasance.

While Quader himself has not been formally indicted yet, the ACC’s investigation has widened to include key figures within his inner circle, most notably his wife, whose identity is Sukhen (or Shirin Quader, depending on the source). In April 2024, the ACC released a dossier outlining the wife’s involvement in a sophisticated money‑laundering scheme that allegedly funneled millions of Bangladeshi taka into offshore accounts linked to a chain of private enterprises. The scheme reportedly exploited her access to Quader’s business networks, as well as her own holdings in several companies that received large payments from government contracts.

2. The Travel Ban: What It Means

On 27 May 2024, a formal travel ban was issued under the “Travel Restriction Act, 2020”, which empowers law‑enforcement agencies to restrict the movement of persons who are under investigation for corruption, fraud, or other serious crimes. The ban prohibits Sukhen Quader from leaving Bangladesh for a period of 12 months, unless she obtains prior written permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the ACC. The order was signed by the Deputy Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and has been registered in the Dhaka District Court for legal enforcement.

The ban is expected to prevent the individual from absconding or attempting to conceal assets abroad. The ACC has cited the flight risk as a primary factor: the wife allegedly holds several offshore accounts in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Singapore. “Our primary objective is to ensure that the subject remains within the jurisdiction of Bangladeshi law so that the inquiry can proceed unhindered,” the ACC spokesperson said in a statement.

3. Official Statements and Legal Context

Police Perspective

The Dhaka Police’s CID (Criminal Investigation Department) stated that the travel ban was a necessary step to “maintain the integrity of the investigative process”. The CID noted that they had already secured a “no‑exit” injunction, a legal instrument that forbids the accused from traveling abroad without a court order. “We are coordinating with the ACC to monitor compliance and will enforce the ban strictly,” the CID officer told The Daily Star.

ACC’s Rationale

The ACC’s legal team emphasized that the travel restriction is not punitive but preventive. “The law allows us to take precautionary measures when the evidence indicates a risk of evasion or tampering,” the ACC spokesperson elaborated. The agency also highlighted that similar bans have been applied in previous corruption cases involving former ministers and their families—most notably the 2019 travel ban on the wife of former Minister Abul Kalam Azad, who was under investigation for alleged procurement irregularities.

Quader’s Response

Quader, however, has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. His party’s spokesperson released a statement asserting that the travel ban was “a tactic used by the opposition to derail his political career.” The statement also urged the authorities to “stop the harassment of his family” and to “allow the accused to travel freely” pending a fair trial.

4. Links to Further Information

The Daily Star’s article links to several key documents and reports that provide additional context:

1. ACC’s Official Filing (PDF) – The dossier outlining the allegations against Sukhen Quader and detailing the financial transactions in question.
2. Travel Restriction Act, 2020 – The full text of the legislation that empowers the police and ACC to impose travel bans.
3. Previous Case Study – An article covering the 2019 travel ban on the wife of Abul Kalam Azad, which offers a precedent for how such bans are typically applied and enforced.
4. Court Order (High Court) – A link to the High Court’s decision granting the ACC the authority to impose the travel ban in this case.
5. Government Response – The official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs confirming the implementation of the travel ban and outlining the procedures for compliance.

These links provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework and historical precedents for travel bans in Bangladesh’s anti‑corruption regime.

5. Wider Implications and Public Reaction

The travel ban has sparked a vigorous debate across social media and mainstream news outlets. Supporters of the ACC argue that the measure is essential to curb the “culture of impunity” that has plagued the country’s political elite. Critics, however, caution that travel bans can be misused to suppress dissent and that due process should be rigorously observed.

The International Federation of Anti‑Corruption NGOs (IFAC) has called for a transparent, independent review of the case, noting that “travel restrictions should be used sparingly and only when there is a clear risk of flight or obstruction.” Meanwhile, local civil society groups have urged the government to ensure that the ban does not infringe on the rights of the individual or her family members who may be innocent.

6. Conclusion

The issuance of a travel ban against Sukhen Quader reflects Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle to balance the enforcement of anti‑corruption laws with the protection of individual rights. While the ban aims to prevent potential evasion of justice, it also underscores the broader challenges of ensuring accountability among powerful political families. As the ACC continues its investigation, the outcome will likely influence public perception of the efficacy of Bangladesh’s anti‑corruption institutions and shape the legal discourse on preventive measures in high‑profile corruption cases.

With the travel ban now in force, all eyes will be on how the investigation proceeds and whether it ultimately leads to a conviction—or a reversal of the ban if new evidence casts doubt on the allegations. The case remains a pivotal moment in the country’s efforts to dismantle entrenched networks of corruption, and its resolution will have lasting implications for the rule of law in Bangladesh.