HC raises question over legality of purchasing properties abroad by dual citizens

Staff Reporter :
The High Court has raised a question whether dual citizens can purchase properties abroad with the money earned in Bangladesh according to the existing laws of the land and the Constitution.
It also questioned the legality of holding different Constitutional posts and government employments by the dual citizens.
The HC Bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat Lizu raised the question while holding hearing on a news report published in Bangla daily ‘Bangladesh Pratidin’ on Thursday under the headline “Bideshey Sampad Kenar Utsab” (which indicates festival of purchasing properties abroad).
During the hearing the HC Bench said that the dual citizenship can divide one’s patriotism.
The Bench asked the lawyers concerned to study the relevant provisions of law and the Constitution in connection with the issue, and fixed next Monday for passing an order.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan and Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik placed the news report before the HC Bench for necessary directives.
Later, Amin Uddin Manik said, “Many persons of our country with dual citizenship are holding different Constitutional posts and serving as government employees in important positions. These issues have been published in different media at different times. The court has raised a question whether a person with dual citizenship can be in the Constitutional post of the country or not?”
“Besides, many people of our country do their business in the country, but smuggle a lot of money abroad and make property there. Many are buying properties abroad even by selling lands. The court also wanted to know whether it is legal or not under the existing law of the country,” added the state lawyer.