The Anti-Corruption Commission is set to file a case against former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and his family members as the investigation into the allegations of amassing illegal wealth is now at the final stage.
The former IGP is scheduled to appear before a three-member inquiry team, formed by the ACC, at the commission’s headquarters in Dhaka today (Sunday) to give his statement on the allegations brought against him.
However, the government is still in the dark about the whereabouts of Benazir Ahmed who has been in hiding for the last few weeks following the allegations of amassing wealth beyond known sources of income.
Benazir is unlikely to appear before the commission as he reportedly left the country on May 4 amid the allegations of amassing illegal wealth. He is believed to be staying in Singapore now. ACC secretary Khorsheda Yasmeen said that legal action would be taken if Benazir Ahmed fails to appear before the ACC.
When contacted, ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said on Saturday that if he [Benazir] fails to appear before the ACC on Sunday, legal process will follow as per the law.
“If he fails to appear again, as per law there is no provision to get further time,” he said, adding that now the commission will take a decision about the next course of action.
On May 28, the ACC summoned Benazir and his family members to appear before the commission on June 6 and 9, but none responded to it.
Later, the ACC fixed June 23 for Benazir and June 24 for his wife and daughters to appear before the commission.
Earlier, ACC commissioner (investigation) Md. Zahurul Haque told journalists, “If he (Benazir) does not come to the commission, it must be assumed that he has nothing to say about the allegations.”
The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judges Court ordered the seizure of a huge amount of movable and immovable assets belonging to Benazir and his family members following ACC petitions.
In terms of wealth, the court ordered the seizure of 697 bighas of land in Gopalganj, Madaripur, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, and Narayanganj, 12 flats in Dhaka and shares of 21 companies in the name of Benazir and his family.
Besides, the court ordered freezing of Tk 30 lakh investment in savings certificates, 33 bank accounts, and three BO accounts.
An ACC official involved with the inquiry said that the commission is now set to file a case soon against Benazir and his family members on charges of amassing illegal wealth, as the inquiry is now at its final stage.
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said the court ordered seizure of wealth as it found evidence of the ill-gotten wealth of Benazir and his family.
On completion of the inquiry, ACC will take a decision on filing of the case against them based on the inquiry report, he added.
ACC officials said they would also send notices to Benazir and his family members, seeking their accounts of assets.
The commission will file another ‘non-submission’ case against Benazir and his family members if they do not submit their wealth statements in response to the notice.
The ACC, based on a media report, decided on April 18 to investigate the allegations of amassing illegal wealth by Benazir and his family.
Benazir joined the police force as an assistant superintendent of police in February 1988, and he retired on September 30, 2022.
On December 10, 2021, the United States declared the then IGP Benazir ineligible for entry into the country for ‘gross violations of human rights’ while serving as RAB director general.
