Court orders confiscation of more assets of ex-IGP Benazir, his family members

A Dhaka court on Sunday ordered the confiscation of different properties including flats, plots and company shares in the names of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife Zeeshan Mirza, and their daughters Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir and Tahsin Raisa Binte Benazir.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge As-Sams Jaglul Hossain passed the order following an appeal by ACC Deputy Director Hafizul Islam, Anti-Corruption Commission Public prosecutor Mahmud Hossain Jahangir said.

Earlier, on May 23, all bank accounts of Benazir Ahmed were frozen and his 83 properties in Gopalganj and Cox's Bazar were confiscated.

The ACC appealed again after finding more assets which former IGP Benazir Ahmed and his family members bought through 113 deeds, added the PP.

On March 31, a vernacular daily published a report under the title, ‘Aladiner Cherag at the house of Benazir’.

Similar reports were published by a number of other media outlets on April 1 and 2, which sparked wide-spread discussion on the enormous wealth visibly amassed by Benazir Ahmed through his career as a policeman.

According to the reports, Benazir Ahmed owned expensive flats, houses, and substantial lands in Dhaka's elite areas. His two daughters reportedly hold 200,000 shares in Best Holdings Limited and the five-star hotel Le Meridien. Additionally, they possess duplex houses spread over 40 kathas in Purbachal, valued at around Tk45 crore. There is also another 10 bighas of land worth Tk22 crore in the same area.

However, during his 34 years and seven months of service, Benazir Ahmed's total salary and allowances amounted to Tk1,84,89,200.
After that, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking investigation into the allegation brought against ex-IGP Benazir and his family.

Salauddin Regan, a Supreme Court lawyer, filed the writ petition. The writ petition also sought an investigation into the allegation.

It also sought the issuance of a rule asking the government to explain as to why the ineffectiveness of the ACC in investigating the wealth of Benazir should not be declared illegal.

Chairman of ACC, ACC Commissioners and ACC secretary were made respondents to the writ petition.

On April 22, ACC formed a committee to investigate the alleged corruption of Benazir Ahmed and his family.

Then on April 23, the High Court asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to submit a progress report on the investigation within two months.

Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon MP also filed a petition with ACC seeking legal steps against Benazir.