A Dhaka court has granted permission to Bashundhara Group Vice Chairman Safwan Sobhan and Afroza Begum, wife of the group’s Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, to travel abroad for three months. The order was issued on Sunday by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Shahjahan Kabir after a hearing on their petition. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) prosecution division confirmed the decision on Monday.

During the hearing, ACC lawyers opposed the petition, arguing that Safwan Sobhan holds dual citizenship and might not return if allowed to leave the country. They also noted that ongoing investigations into allegations of money laundering, tax evasion, loan fraud, embezzlement, and illegal wealth acquisition could be disrupted. Despite these objections, the court approved the travel request.

Earlier, on October 21, 2024, the court had imposed a travel ban on Safwan Sobhan and others following an ACC request. Several previous petitions to lift the ban were rejected, including one in May 2026. The latest approval allows only Safwan Sobhan and Afroza Begum to travel abroad for three months.