The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has seized huge amounts of ‘illegal assets’ in different parts of the country in the name of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family members. A large area resort in Gopalganj, a 10,000 square feet duplex flat (four flats together) in the capital’s Gulshan, a 25-acre garden house in Bandarban have been taken under the supervision of receivers. This time Benazir’s beautiful duplex house on 24 khata land located in Rupganj of Narayanganj is also being taken under the supervision of the administration.
ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md. Aktarul Islam said, on Saturday (today) at noon, district administration will hang a signboard in this house of Anand Housing Society area of Rupganj on the order of the court. At this time Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mahmudul Haque, local upazila administration and ACC officials are expected to be present.
It is known that the house was built around 2022. Locals said that Benazir Ahmed sometimes came to this house when he was in the country and stayed overnight. The bungalow has round-the-clock security with a caretaker as well as two dogs.
In view of ACC’s application, on June 12, the court seized Benazir’s assets in the third round. This bungalow is also in that list. After that, the court appointed the receiver to the Deputy Commissioner to take care of the house. The value of the bungalow is around 10 crore rupees.
Reports were published in a daily newspaper titled ‘Aladdin’s lamp in Benazir’s house’ on March 31 and ‘Benazir’s resort in forest land’ on April 3. Allegations of acquiring illegal wealth were raised against Benazir Ahmed and his family members. ACC decided to investigate on April 18 after verifying the complaint. Benazir left the country with his family members in the first week of last May when the investigation started.
As part of the search for assets beyond known income, the ACC found that Benazir Ahmed, wife Zeeshan Mirza and three daughters had 702 bighas of land in 205 deeds (as a bigha in the 33rd century), 33 bank accounts and investments in 25 companies. After that these assets were seized and blocked on the orders of the court on May 23 and 26 and June 12. Benazir built these properties from 2014 to 2023.
A three-member team led by ACC Deputy Director Hafizul Islam is investigating.
Benazir Ahmed was appointed as Director General of RAB on January 7, 2015. Before that he served as Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner. Later, on 15 April 2020, Benazir took charge as IGP. Then on 30th September 2022 he retired as per Government Service Act as he completed 59 years.