Green Signal for Passports of Awami League’s Alleged Fascist Allies, Including Judges, Secretaries, and Army Officers

The Ministry of Home Affairs has given a green signal for issuing passports to 39 individuals, including former judges, secretaries, army officers, and university vice-chancellors, identified as collaborators of the democracy-suppressing and fascist Awami League government. After receiving No Objection Certificates (NOCs), several of these individuals have already obtained new passports, and sources confirm that some have begun traveling abroad.

Many of those granted NOCs face serious allegations. Some are accused of corruption, others are under investigation by tribunals for crimes against humanity, and some are directly named in cases related to the July massacre. Despite these charges, they have been permitted to obtain passports.

Following the government’s collapse in August, passports of former ministers, MPs, secretaries, and judges were canceled, with strict restrictions imposed on converting red diplomatic passports. However, on August 19, the Ministry of Home Affairs abruptly reversed its stance, issuing two letters signed by Deputy Secretary Nilima Afroz, granting NOCs to 39 individuals. The list includes former High Court judges Kazi Rezaul Haque, Jahangir Hossain and his wife Anjuman Ara, Salma Masud Chowdhury, Ataur Rahman Khan and his wife Rehana Begum, former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Maksud Kamal (an accused in the July massacre case), former Military Secretary Major General (Retd.) Nakib Ahmed and his wife Suzana Tarannum Chowdhury, former Noakhali Science and Technology University Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Didar-Ul-Alam, former Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Golam Sabbir Sattar and his wife Tanzina Yasmin, former Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University Vice-Chancellor Kazi Saifuddin and his wife Ruksana Yasmin, former Foreign Secretary Shahadat Hossain and his wife Shahina Parvin, former Secretary of the President’s Office Wahid Islam Khan and his wife Runa Nahid, former Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Johrul Haque and his wife, among others. Most individuals on this list are accused of various crimes, corruption, or involvement in crimes against humanity. Maksud Kamal faces charges for attacks on students, while Salma Masud Chowdhury has been accused of misusing court rulings. Former secretaries and military officers are under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission, yet they have been allowed to travel abroad, raising concerns about administrative transparency and accountability. When contacted, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani asked for written questions but did not respond to them. An anonymous official claimed, “Issuing an NOC does not mean permission to leave the country; necessary measures will be in place at immigration.” However, multiple sources confirm that several NOC recipients have already left the country. Political analysts argue that opening the door for these collaborators obstructs justice and may make it difficult to hold them accountable in the future. Public sentiment questions whether this process is designed to facilitate the safe escape of Awami League’s fascist allies. A former Anti-Corruption Commission official, speaking anonymously, stated, “Granting NOCs to those under investigation proves the administration is still lenient toward the corrupt.” A constitutional expert added, “Approving passports for accused individuals under investigation is a deliberate step to obstruct justice.”