Auditi Karim:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A political commentary has accused the administration led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus of introducing what it describes as a \u201cblack law\u201d through amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act, alleging that the measure undermined constitutional rights, disrupted business activities, and harmed Bangladesh\u2019s economy.According to the article written by Aditi Karim, the ordinance granted authorities extensive powers to freeze bank accounts, seize assets, impose travel restrictions, and conduct undercover investigations before any allegations were proven in court. The author argues that such measures violated fundamental legal principles, including the presumption of innocence and citizens\u2019 constitutional right to due process.The controversial amendment originated from recommendations made during the previous interim administration and was promulgated on December 23. Following the formation of a new government on February 17, the ordinance was placed before Parliament on March 12 as part of a package of 133 ordinances. While Parliament approved 113 ordinances and rejected seven, no decision was taken on 13 others, including the ACC amendment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under Bangladeshi law, ordinances that are not approved within 30 days of being presented to Parliament automatically lapse. Consequently, the ACC amendment ceased to have legal effect on April 11, restoring the provisions of the original Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.Legal experts cited in the commentary reportedly welcomed the ordinance\u2019s expiration, arguing that it conflicted with constitutional principles by allowing restrictions on property and financial assets without a completed judicial process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The article claims that approximately 1,500 businesspeople and individuals had their bank accounts frozen under the ordinance, while around 1,000 industrialists, entrepreneurs, and professionals faced travel restrictions. It further alleges that assets worth nearly Tk 55,000 crore were seized or frozen, creating uncertainty within the private sector and discouraging investment.According to the author, the restrictions contributed to business closures, rising unemployment, and increased loan defaults. The commentary also links the ordinance to a rise in non-performing loans (NPLs) across Bangladesh\u2019s banking sector, arguing that affected borrowers were unable to meet financial obligations due to frozen accounts and travel bans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The article compares Bangladesh\u2019s former ordinance with anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, asserting that those jurisdictions generally require stronger judicial oversight before assets can be frozen or travel restrictions imposed.The commentary further argues that indefinite travel bans violate Article 36 of Bangladesh\u2019s Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to move freely and leave and re-enter the country, subject to reasonable legal restrictions. It also references a Supreme Court Appellate Division judgment, stating that the existence of a criminal case alone is insufficient grounds to deny an individual the constitutional right to travel abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The author concludes by urging the current government to provide relief to individuals allegedly affected by the now-expired ordinance, including lifting travel restrictions, restoring access to frozen bank accounts, and creating a more investment-friendly business environment.The claims and allegations presented in the commentary reflect the views of the author and have not been independently verified.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Auditi Karim: A political commentary has accused the administration led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus of introducing what it describes as a \u201cblack law\u201d through amendments to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act, alleging that the measure undermined constitutional rights, disrupted business activities, and harmed Bangladesh\u2019s economy.According to the article written by Aditi Karim, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6422,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n