Bangla immigration dept to ban Hasina's US tour

Dhaka, June 14: Bangladesh's former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who is scheduled to leave for the US tomorrow, is facing travel restriction by a court order.

Ms Hasina, who ruled the country for five years from 1996 and is facing extortion cases, is scheduled to leave for the US to attend her lone daughter who is expecting baby early next month.

Upon an application of police Investigation Officer (IO), Magistrate Shamsul Alam today asked him to take legal action against Ms Hasina's planned travel in consultation with the immigration authorities.

Two cases of extortion, involving nearly eight crore Taka, were filed against Ms Hasina by two private business houses yesterday.

In his application the IO told the court that he has got information that Ms Hasina will leave the country for America tomorrow. Since the inquiry is on, he said, it might suffer impediment at this stage of investigation if she leaves the country.

If Ms Hasina leaves the country, there is possibility that she might remain fugitive forever without returning to Bangladesh, he added and urged the court to pass necessary order restraining her from departing the country.

The police today prevented the Awami League President from visiting the landslide victims in the country's southeastern port city Chittagong on the plea of instruction from their higher authorties. Hundreds of police were posted around her residence in Dhanmondi in central Dhaka.

UNI