The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent a letter to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to investigate properties abroad owned by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife and daughters.
While talking to reporters on Wednesday, ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said that the commission has received information on huge moveable and immovable properties owned by Benazir, his wife, and his daughters in different districts of the country, Daily Sun reported.
In this context, the anti-corruption watchdog suspects that the former IGP might have laundered money, Khan said.
On this ground, the ACC has sent a letter to the BFIU, requesting it to send a Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR) to know whether Benazir has any assets in Dubai, Canada, the USA, and elsewhere, said the ACC lawyer.
On Monday, the BO accounts of Benazir Ahmed and his wife and daughters were frozen and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) ordered the seizure of the BO accounts in their names on the same day.
Benazir Ahmed was IGP from 15 April 2020 to 30 September 2022. Before this, he served as Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
During his tenures as RAB DG and IGP, Benazir has played an important role in daunting anti-government movement and emergence of militancy in the country.
Upon satisfaction, the government has given the Integrity Award 2020-21 to the then IGP in recognition to his integrity in the profession.
Besides, the United States on 10 December 2021 imposed human rights-related sanctions on the RAB and seven top officials of the agency, including Benazir Ahmed, then IGP.
Now, the ACC in its allegation claimed that Benazir and his family members have accumulated a huge amount of wealth by abusing power.
Currently, the ruling Awami League is rejecting the responsibilities of Benazir’s indulgence in corruption, saying that none will be spared no matter how influential the wrongdoer is.
bd-pratidin/GR
