By Asif Showkat Kallol (Dhaka Bureau)
Allegations of corruption, self-imposed exile, and vast fortunes left behind have become a recurring feature of Bangladesh’s political and financial scandals. However, a new and concerning trend is drawing attention inside the country’s diplomatic and legal circles. Politically exposed and corruption-accused individuals, currently sheltering abroad, are turning to a specific legal instrument to maintain control over their massive domestic assets from a distance: the Power of Attorney (PoA).
From Washington and London to Toronto, Dubai, and Singapore, these legal requests are surging across Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in major global hubs. This rising tide brings an uncomfortable question to the forefront: Are these influential figures and money laundering suspects attempting to preserve their dominance over state and private assets while remaining safely outside the reach of domestic law?
High-Profile Applicants Under Scrutiny
Officials familiar with diplomatic processing state that many of these applications originate from individuals whose names have recently surfaced in high-profile cases involving corruption, multi-billion taka money laundering, or the abuse of political power. While a Power of Attorney is a perfectly lawful instrument designed to allow expatriates representation in financial and property matters, its sudden, concentrated use by accused and reportedly absconding figures has triggered intense scrutiny.
Several prominent names and applications attracting public attention include:
* Farzana Rahman Ishita: The Canada-based daughter of the highly discussed former revenue official, Matiur Rahman. She has reportedly submitted a Power of Attorney application linked to corporate directorship and board management matters.
* Abdul Kahar Akhand: A former top police official widely regarded as a trusted insider of the previous administration, known for leading several high-profile criminal investigations. Following his departure from Bangladesh, he reportedly sought this legal authority through the Bangladeshi mission in New York.
* Nafis Sarafat and Family: The businessman and his family members, who face grave allegations involving the laundering of over Tk 1,600 crore, have reportedly filed their applications with the Bangladeshi Embassy in Washington, D.C.
* Aziz Khan and Family: The Chairman of the Summit Group and members of his family are reported to have processed similar legal documentation through the Bangladeshi mission in Singapore.
* Other Reported Applicants: The list of individuals seeking such overseas legal representation also reportedly includes Rashek Rahman, a political figure linked to the former Awami League administration, and Molla Fazle Akbar, the former chief of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).
Foreign Ministry Directives and Legal Restrictions
Despite the influx of applications hitting overseas diplomatic stations, the government has instituted stringent countermeasures. Last August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs circulated a strict directive to all diplomatic posts abroad, explicitly stating- No Power of Attorney documentation may be issued or processed for individuals identified as fugitives or those facing financially and politically sensitive criminal proceedings.
The domestic legal framework mirrors this uncompromising stance. According to legal opinions from the Attorney General’s Office and past rulings of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, an individual officially declared a ‘fugitive from justice’ cannot claim or seek any direct or indirect legal protection or privilege. Furthermore, assets that have already been frozen under anti-corruption proceedings remain entirely legally locked; they cannot be transferred, sold, or liquidated through PoA arrangements unless explicitly authorized by a court of law.
Administration officials emphasize that there is no room for compromise on this policy. The current government has repeatedly declared that recovering illicitly transferred wealth and reclaiming plundered domestic assets remain central national priorities. Consequently, no embassy or diplomatic mission is permitted to endorse these requests without explicit authorization from the relevant high authorities.
A Battle for Power Behind Bureaucratic Paperwork
Yet, the controversy shows no signs of waning. Critics and civil society representatives argue that this surge in overseas Power of Attorney applications represents far more than mundane bureaucratic paperwork. Instead, it signals a quiet but fierce proxy battle over wealth, influence, and accountability between the state and accused individuals—a battle unfolding not just within domestic courtrooms, but stretching across international diplomatic channels.
Whether these applications constitute a legitimate legal necessity for expatriates or represent a calculated, silent maneuver to preserve control over contested fortunes remains a critical question. It is an issue that is bound to intensify within Bangladesh’s ongoing political and economic accountability debates.
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The Writer:
Asif Showkat Kallol: Works for a German-based online outlet, The Mirror Asia, as Head of News and is a Contributor, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
