Asif Mahmud Sajeeb moves High Court to block ACC press briefings over 'prima facie' findings

Former interim government adviser and National Citizens Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb has filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging the legal validity of two press conferences held by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the petition, the ACC held two separate press conferences on 2 September and 13 September. At those briefings the commission announced that, following the start of an investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering involving Sajeeb, it had found "prima facie" or "preliminary truth" supporting further inquiry.

Sajeeb's legal team, led by counsel Zahirul Islam Musa, argues the press conferences breached constitutional protections and procedural norms:

• The petition invokes Article 31 of the constitution, which the filing describes as guaranteeing dignity and protection of reputation.
• The writ contends ACC's public statements violated accepted principles of criminal procedure and the commission's own information‑disclosure rules.
• The filing says those public announcements subjected Sajeeb to trial by media, damaged his personal and political reputation, and caused specific harm because he is a political figure who has publicly expressed intent to run for mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.

The petition names the ACC officials who conducted the press conferences as respondents: the ACC deputy director, an assistant director and the commission's public relations officer.

Sajeeb asks the High Court to declare the ACC's press conferences unlawful and to direct that no further press briefings be held about any ongoing investigation or inquiry that could prejudice his reputation or the fairness of criminal process. The petition seeks prospective relief to prevent similar public disclosures while an investigation is pending.

Sajeeb's lawyer has said the writ was filed on Sunday, 27 September, and that the High Court may hear the petition as early as the next sitting, described in reporting as possibly Tuesday. The filing cites the Daily Star as a source for details of the petition.

The case raises immediate legal questions about how and when anti‑corruption bodies can communicate investigatory findings to the public. It also frames those questions against the background of political competition: the petitioner says public announcements by an investigatory agency caused reputational harm that has political consequences given his stated electoral plans.

• Whether the High Court grants interim relief preventing further press conferences on this case.
• Any judicial interpretation of the scope of Article 31 in relation to investigatory publicity by state agencies.
• ACC's response and whether it will change its public communication practice about ongoing inquiries.

Reporting identifies the lawyer who filed the writ (Zahirul Islam Musa) and the dates of the ACC briefings (2 and 13 September). The petition describes the public statements as announcing "primary truth" in the ACC's probe and claims damage to Sajeeb's reputation and political prospects. The reporting notes Sajeeb's background as a former caretaker government adviser and NCP spokesperson.