Court orders seizure of properties linked to PK Halder’s associate

A Dhaka court on Sunday ordered the seizure of several properties owned by Nahida Runai, an associate of former International Leasing and Financial Services Limited vice president PK Halder, in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation.

Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez passed the order after Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a petition seeking the attachment of the assets.

The properties ordered to be seized include a flat at Rags View Park in Dhanmondi, a six-storey residential building constructed on 10 decimals of land in Chattogram's Khulshi, a three-katha plot in Uttara and six kathas of non-agricultural land in Narayanganj's Rupganj. The total declared value of the properties is Tk 18.9 million.

According to the petition submitted by ACC Deputy Director Sajib Ahmed, there is a risk that the assets could be transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of while the investigation into corruption allegations against the accused is ongoing.

The court observed that the seizure was necessary to prevent the possible dissipation of assets and to safeguard state interests during the course of the investigation.

MAL/SH