The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found evidence of fraudulence in obtaining a passport by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed as he allegedly took a general passport hiding his real identity.
According to ACC sources, Benazir obtained his passport as a non-government employee by hiding his police identity, which was detected during the renewal of the passport.
But he managed everything using his position as the director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) then.
The ACC obtained the information after questioning 15 officials of the Department of Immigration and Passports, including two additional directors general, regarding Benazir's passport.
An ACC team, led by its Deputy Director Hafizul Islam, interrogated them at the ACC headquarters in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The ACC sources said Benazir never obtained an official 'Blue Passport' as a government employee despite having the opportunity. He also did not opt for the 'Red Passport'.
The former IGP, who reportedly left the country with his family on 4 May, was scheduled to appear before the anti-graft body on 6 June for questioning regarding the accumulation of a large amount of wealth beyond known sources of income.
However, the ACC investigation team extended the deadline to 23 June following a request from the former IGP's lawyer, seeking an additional 15 days to respond to the summons notice.
As he did not show up on 23 June for questioning, ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmeen said the ACC will pursue further legal action against him.
Like Benazir, his family members also did not appear before the ACC despite seeking time.
Benazir Ahmed served as IGP from April 2020 to September 2022 and as the director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from January 2015 to April 2020. He also held the position of Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for a long time.
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.
