Former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed did not appear before the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday despite being summoned by the anti-graft watchdog for the second time to face questions over allegations of amassing vast wealth illegally.
The ACC's investigation committee was scheduled to grill the ex-IGP about the graft allegations this morning as Benazir avoided the first face-off with the commission on 6 June.
On 28 May, the commission asked the former police chief to appear before it on 6 June and his wife and their two daughters on 9 June. Following their applications seeking time, the ACC set 23 June and 24 June respectively for their appearance before it.
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said, “The ex-IGP will not be given any more time if he fails to appear. However, the investigation into graft allegations will continue.
“The probe committee will submit its report before the ACC after the investigation. Then the commission will decide on the next course of action.”
Benazir in Portugal now
The Kaler Kantho and the Daily Sun, in early April, published a series of reports detailing the wealth and properties allegedly acquired through illegal means by Benazir Ahmed and his family members which sparked a widespread discussion throughout the country.
Amid an inquiry by the ACC into his alleged illegal wealth, the former chief of the Bangladesh Police and his family left the country on a flight of Singapore Airlines on 4 May, according to a reliable source.
He went to Singapore in the name of treatment of his wife Zeeshan Mirza, the source said.
From there, they went to Malaysia and started staying in a house that Benazir allegedly bought under the “Malaysia My Second Home” project.
Later, the ex-IGP and his family left Malaysia for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Keeping his family members there, Benazir flew to Portugal, sources said.
