Police Headquarters Assistant Inspector General (Media) Md Sohel Rana confirmed this to UNB.

A red notice alerts police worldwide about internationally wanted fugitives, but it is not an arrest warrant.  

Also read: PK Halder: Interpol requested to issue red alert

The notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, Interpol says.

However, such notices help bring fugitives to justice, sometimes many years after the original crime was committed. And Interpol issued 13,377 red notices in 2019.

On Monday, Bangladesh Police requested Interpol to issue the alert against PK Halder.

Also read: Travel ban imposed on 25 accomplices of PK Halder

“The issuance of red notice follows judicial proceedings in the country issuing the request. This is not always the home country of the individual, but the country where the crime was committed,” Interpol says.

Also, every red notice request is checked by a specialised task force to ensure it is compliant with Interpol rules.

Also read: Arrest PK Haldar immediately after he returns: HC

On November 19, the High Court asked the government what steps were being taken to bring former International Leasing and Finance Service director PK Halder back.

On September 7, Halder filed an appeal seeking permission for his safe return to the country.

He is accused of illegally amassing at least Tk3,600 crore and laundering the money abroad while working as the director of International Leasing and Finance in Dhaka. 

Also read: PK Haldar wants to return home

On January 8, the Anti-Corruption Commission also filed a case against him for amassing wealth of nearly Tk275 crore beyond his known sources of income.

However, Halder said in his appeal that he wanted to come back to Bangladesh to help the authorities recover the amassed money and sought security upon his return.

Also read: 'Corrupt figures, money launderers cannot be spared no matter how influential'

On January 22, the High Court ordered the government to seize the properties of Halder and 19 others – including his mother, wife and brother – along with freezing their bank accounts and revoking their passports. 

Also, upon hearing the appeals of seven International Leasing and Finance investors, the court imposed restrictions on their foreign travel. However, Halder managed to flee to Canada.

Also read: Confiscate wealth of PK Halder: HC