Published: 09:58 AM, 23 April 2026
Appellate Division dismisses petition challenging High Court order on Asiatic Group
The Appellate Division has dismissed a petition challenging a High Court order that directed authorities to take action against the Asiatic Group over allegations of corruption. The court also ordered that the matter be reheard and disposed of by the appropriate bench of the High Court.
The order was passed on April 20 by a full bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury after hearing arguments from both sides. Earlier, on July 29 last year, a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Syed Jahed Mansur issued a directive to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to investigate allegations of corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion against the Asiatic Group and take necessary action.
The Asiatic Group subsequently challenged the order by filing a petition before the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division. On August 28, the Chamber Judge stayed the High Court order and referred the matter to the full bench for hearing. The writ petition was filed by Barrister Sabbir Azam and Advocate Md. Firoz Hossain. Senior lawyer Mohammad Hossain represented the petitioners during the hearing, while Deputy Attorney General Shafikur Rahman and Deputy Attorney General Tanim Khan appeared on behalf of the state. According to the petition, under the leadership of former chairman Asaduzzaman Noor, the Asiatic Group was involved in various state and political promotional activities, including Mujib Year campaigns and the film “Mujib,” during the tenure of the previous Awami League government. The petition alleges financial irregularities, money laundering, and tax evasion in connection with these activities. Several individuals were also named in the petition, including Iresh Zaker, Morshed Alam, Rezaul Hasan, Ekram Moin Chowdhury, Mohammad Hasan Faruq, and Sara Zaker. Meanwhile, Lawyers Against Corruption and Abuse (LACA), a platform of Supreme Court lawyers, recently alleged at a press conference that during the elections held under the previous Awami League government, funds from various local and multinational companies—including Grameenphone, Unilever, Banglalink, bKash, BSRM, and Marico—were allegedly used in advertising and promotional campaigns conducted by the Asiatic Group. The organization has also expressed its intention to be included as a party in the ongoing writ proceedings. The case will now return to the High Court for further hearing and disposal in accordance with the Appellate Division’s directive.
