‘Benazir in Singapore’

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed along with his wife has reportedly gone to Singapore amid an inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into his alleged illegal wealth.

The ex-IGP and his wife left the country on a flight of Singapore Airlines on 4 May this year, according to a reliable source.

He went to Singapore in the name of treatment of his wife Zeeshan Mirza, the source said, adding that he left the country after informing some influential people of the matter.

The source said the former police chief had been aware beforehand that there might be ACC summons and court orders for the confiscation of his wealth and freezing of bank accounts. The influential quarters informed him of everything, the source claimed.

Sensing the matter, Benazir and his family members withdrew money amounting to around Tk100 crore from their bank accounts before those were frozen as per the court order.

Meanwhile, another source said Benazir went to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 12 April and he is now staying there.

He and his family have several apartments at Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina of the UAE, said the source.

A government officer, who wished not to be named, said that the ex-IGP has a real estate business in Australia. A Bangladeshi man oversees the business, he said, adding that the man also began land business there.

The officer informed that the IGP has passports from three countries. However, the FT team could not independently verify the facts.

Meanwhile, MP from Chandpur-4 constituency and former President of the Jatiya Press Club Md Shafiqur Rahman alleged that former IGP Benazir made him transfer the shares of Citizen TV through fraudulent means after he was picked up from his residence at the dead of night.

Supreme Court lawyer Syed Sayedul Haque Suman approached the ACC seeking an investigation into allegations against former IGP Benazir Ahmed of amassing huge illegal wealth by abusing power.

Later, the High Court asked the ACC to submit a progress report on the investigation into the alleged illegal wealth of the former IGP and his family within two months.

On 22 April, the ACC told the media that it formed a three-member committee, led by Deputy Director Md Hafizul Islam, to investigate the allegations against the former IGP of amassing huge illegal wealth through abusing power.

On 23 May, Judge Mohammad As-Shams Jaglul Hossain of Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court ordered the confiscation of 345 bighas (114 acres) of land under 83 deeds and the freezing of 33 bank accounts belonging to Benazir and his family members.

At the request of the ACC, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) then sent letters to various banks seeking information and informed the commission later on. Based on the information of the ACC, the court ordered the confiscation of 345 bighas of land and the freezing of 33 bank accounts.

On 26 May, the same court also ordered the confiscation of land under 119 more deeds, shares in 23 companies and four flats in Gulshan, belonging to Benazir and his family members.

The ACC was also asked to confiscate shares in 19 business firms, three BO accounts and Tk30 lakh savings certificates.

Besides, the national anti-graft watchdog summoned Benazir to appear before the commission on 6 June for facing interrogation over his alleged illegal wealth while his wife and their three daughters were asked to appear on 9 June.

Sources said the former head of the police force and his family members may comply through their lawyers.

It has been learnt that the ACC has found more assets of the ex-IGP. It will soon seek the court order to attach those as well.

The newly recovered wealth includes a tea garden in Panchagarh, a resort at Thanchi in Bandarban, another resort in Gazipur, a textiles mill in Gazipur and 3-4 lighterage ships that are being operated under the banner of a renowned company.