Bashundhara chairman, family seek court approval to travel abroad

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and four members of his family today submitted an application to a Dhaka court seeking permission to go abroad for treatment.

The petition, filed by lawyer Khorshed Alam, says that Akbar Sobhan, his wife Afroza Begum, sons Safiat Sobhan Sanvir and Safwan Sobhan, and daughter-in-law Sabrina Sobhan (wife of Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir) are suffering from various ailments and require treatment overseas. The lawyer requested the court to lift the existing travel ban to allow them to leave the country.

After the hearing, Judge Sabbir Faiz of Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court directed the head of the inquiry team to submit a report on October 26 regarding the application. The court set the same date for a further hearing on the matter.

On October 21 last year, the same court imposed a travel ban on Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and seven family members in connection with corruption allegations, following a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).