Court orders confiscation of more assets of ex-IGP Benazir

A Dhaka court on Wednesday ordered the confiscation of more properties in the names of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, and his family members.

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.

The assets include 24 kathas of land in Narayanganj‍‍`s Rupganj, three kathas in Uttara, 25 acres of land in Bandarban, two flats in Badda, six flats in Adabar in the name of his wife and a 6-storey building in Gulshan.

The court has also ordered the freez of shares in their names in the private Citizen Television and Tigerafit Apparels Ltd.

On 26 May, the court ordered to attach properties including four flats in Dhaka bought under 119 deeds, four companies, and 15 partially owned companies. The court also ordered the freeze of four BO accounts.

On 23 May, the same court ordered the freeze of 33 bank accounts and attached properties under 83 deeds of Benazir and his family.

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.

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 sough 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.