Former ministers, MPs, and members of law enforcement agencies have been accused of involvement in human trafficking. These individuals allegedly formed syndicates to misappropriate billions of takas. Those who tried to resist the trafficking also faced harassment from these groups. While cases have been filed against them, questions have arisen regarding fair justice, as some individuals who opposed human trafficking have been named in the cases. Sub-Inspector Nazmul Hasan of Paltan Police Station, the investigating officer of one such case, stated that the investigation is ongoing and that a charge sheet will be submitted soon.

On September 3, Altab Khan, proprietor of Afia Overseas, filed a case at Paltan Police Station, accusing several individuals of forming syndicates for embezzling funds and human trafficking. The accused include former Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed, Secretary Dr. Ahmed Munirus Salehin, former MP and Managing Director of M International Ltd. Lt. General Masud Uddin Chowdhury (Retd.), former MP and proprietor of Ahmed International Benazir Ahmed, and proprietor of Catharsis International Md. Ruhul Amin Swapan, among others. A total of 103 individuals were named in the case, with allegations of embezzling over 24,000 crore takas. On October 20, the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police arrested former Minister Imran Ahmed from Banani in the capital. He is currently in custody.

Resistance Faces Reprisal:

Mahbub Morshed, a former senior warden officer of Emirates Airlines, claimed that on August 6, 2020, around 5 PM, four individuals approached him with fake Italian residence cards, proposing to help 20 illegal passengers travel abroad via Emirates Airlines. When he refused, they threatened to kill him and his family. Following this, he filed multiple general diaries (GDs) at various police stations. One such GD was filed at Banani Police Station on August 6, while similar threats were reported in March of the same year at the airport and Rampura police stations.

Over time, Mahbub Morshed faced physical assaults and threats of abduction, forcing him to flee the country with his family for safety. He now alleges that the administration is falsely implicating him in cases to shield themselves and continues to harass him and his family.