High Court rejects Aziz Khan family petition, upholds freeze on 191 bank accounts

The ACC says the frozen accounts hold TK 417 million belonging to the family

The High Court has upheld an order freezing 191 bank accounts held by Summit Group Chairman Aziz Khan, his family members and associates, rejecting a writ petition they had filed.

A bench led by Justice JBM Hassan issued the order on Sunday after dismissing the petition.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission, the frozen accounts hold Tk 417.48 million belonging to the Khan family.

Lawyer Mahmudul Arefin Swapan represented the ACC, while Mostafizur Rahman Khan argued for Summit Group. Swapan said the petitioners can now appeal or seek a review.

On Mar 9, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib had ordered the freeze on the accounts under the names of Aziz Khan, his relatives and related entities. The ACC’s Deputy Director Alamgir Hossain had sought the freeze, citing an ongoing investigation.

The anti-graft watchdog said it is probing allegations that Summit and its affiliates amassed illicit wealth through bribery and corruption, and laundered billions abroad.

Investigators traced savings, fixed deposits and other accounts with large sums of “abnormal and suspicious” funds.

The ACC argued that freezing the Tk 417.48 million under Section 14 of the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 was essential to prevent the funds from being withdrawn, hidden or siphoned overseas.