Mystery shrouds Benazir’s whereabouts

Contradictory information is surfacing in the media as well as on social networking platforms regarding the whereabouts of ex-police chief Benazir Ahmed after a Dhaka court ordered the seizure of his assets and frozen his bank accounts.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned him, his wife and three daughters to its head office for questioning. Despite the mounting pressure, the former police chief remains noticeably silent.

According to various media reports, he has fled the country, but sources close to Benazir claim that he is in Bangladesh, preparing for legal proceedings through regular communication with his lawyers and advisors.

A confidant of Benazir told a national daily, "He is now living at the apartments of Rancon Icon Tower in the capitals Gulshan 1. He rarely goes out since May 5.”

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said he had no idea whether the former IGP, accused of amassing wealth beyond known sources of income, had left the country.

“Benazir Ahmed is in the middle of a legal process. After the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) files a case, the court will decide when he will be arrested and sent to jail,” Quader said while speaking at a press briefing on Friday (May 31) at the Dhanmondi political officer of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.

Quader earlier made it clear that Benazir won't receive special treatment while facing the coming investigations and lawsuits.

One of his close friends, on condition of anonymity, told the media, “Benazir left Shahjalal International Airport with his wife and three daughters on a Singapore Airlines flight on May 4. They are currently residing in that country to facilitate medical treatment for his wife, Zeeshan Mirza.”

The source, however, could not confirm whether he had returned home or not.

Another source close to the Benazir family said, "He will surely appear on the scheduled date of the ACC summons, but it is uncertain whether his wife and daughters will also appear before the ACC."

The anti-graft body sent a notice to Benazir, asking him to appear at its headquarters on 6 June and his wife and children on 9 June.

According to some businessmen who used to see him during his morning walks, the former police chief's family is now residing in Dubai.

"He (Benazir) established his elder daughter and son-in-law in various businesses in Dubai after the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions against him. They relocated from Miami to Dubai and invested there. His younger daughter, who had to leave her US university due to the sanctions, is now studying in the UK and is believed to be currently in Dubai," the source said.

Benazir Ahmed served as IGP from 15 April 2020 to 30 September 2022. Before this, he held positions as DMP commissioner and RAB DG.

Benazir Ahmed was among those sanctioned by the US in December 2021 for alleged human rights violations while he was serving as IGP.