Court Orders Seizure of Former Air Chief Sheikh Abdul Hannan’s Assets.
Dhaka, May 6 — A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of several properties and the freezing of six bank accounts belonging to former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Sheikh Abdul Hannan, amid allegations of corruption and money laundering.
The order was issued on Tuesday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The petition was filed by ACC Deputy Director Tanzir Hasib Sarkar, who informed the court that the former air chief was attempting to transfer the assets, which could obstruct the ongoing investigation.
The seized properties include two apartments — measuring 699 and 823 square feet — on the sixth floor of a six-storey building in the capital’s Khilkhet area, a 2,250 square foot flat in the DOHS residential area of Mirpur, an under-construction seven-storey building in the Military Officers Residential Project, and 7.84 decimals of land in Rupganj, Narayanganj.
According to the ACC, preliminary findings suggest that Hannan amassed wealth beyond his known sources of income by abusing his official position. There are also allegations of embezzlement of public funds and laundering money abroad, some of it possibly in the names of individuals linked to him.
In its petition, the ACC expressed concern that if the assets were not seized immediately, they might be transferred or hidden, making it difficult to recover them later if found to be illegally obtained.
This latest court action follows an earlier order issued on May 5, banning Sheikh Abdul Hannan and his family members from leaving the country while the investigation continues.
The ACC has stated that the inquiry is ongoing and further legal action will follow based on evidence.