The Bhawal Resort is spread over 160 bighas of land in Naljani village of Bhawal Garh union in Gazipur Sadar Upazila. The resort established on April 6 of 2018 over 106 bighas of land. Later on, another 54 bighas of land were added to it. In addition to 62 villas, the resort includes helipad, restaurant, gymnasium, swimming pool, spa and some other exclusive features.
According to the investigation of The Kaler Kantho, it has been found that a large part of this resort have been constructed occupying the forest land by force. The ex-IGP of Bangladesh Police Benazir Ahmed acted as the ‘Guardian Angel’ behind this encroachment as the ownership of one-fourth of this resort belongs to the family of Benazir Ahmed. According to the investigation, during the resort construction by occupying the forests land, Benazir Ahmed was the commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
Officials of the forest department and local residents said that the construction work of the resort started after putting up a boundary wall in the forest land along with setting police to guard the area for them. The forest department and the local residents are also shocked by the misuse of power by the police officer Benazir in encroaching forest land and constructing the resort.
Bhawal Resort and Spa is one of the companies of Amber Group. However, Benazir Ahmed joined it at some stage of establishment. Due to his influence as a DMP commissioner, he took ownership of 25 percent shares of the resort.
Bhawal Range Officer of Forest Department in Wildlife and Nature Conservation Department, Masud Rana said, “The Forest Department has 6.73 acres of land inside and at the entrance of Bhawal Resort. That is, Bhawal Resort has been built by occupying this huge forest land. According to the Forest Department, the land occupied by Bhawal Resort includes 11 bighas in CS plots No. 03, 279 and 271 no. of Baripara Mauza No. 4.”
The officials of the forest department said under the influence of Benazir's power, everyone was silent and helpless.
He, being the DMP Commissioner, illegally fenced the forest land using police as guards to safeguard their illegal work. The forest department filed an eviction case to recover the forest land.
Range officer Masud Rana confirmed that the case is still ongoing.
From the field visit, it has been known from some residents of Naljani village adjacent to Bhawal Resort, after knowing that the owners of the resort are Partex Group and former IGP Benazir Ahmed, no one in the area dares to go there for fear of Benazir. When they encroached on the forest land by erecting a boundary wall, no one dared to protest.
Locals also said Benazir Ahmed often came here during the construction of Bhawal Resort. During the work phases, the policemen of the local outpost used to give guard there day and night.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, senior reservation officer of the resort Zahid Hasan admitted the involvement of former IGP Benazir Ahmed in the ownership of the resort. He said former IGP Benjir is among some of the owners of Bhawal Resort and Spa.
Furthermore, Chairman of Bhawalgarh Union Salauddin Ahmed also said, "The former police officer Benazir Ahmed and the son of the owner of Partex Group own the resort. However, it is not known who owns how much.”
Investigation revealed that Benazir Ahmed didn’t use his name out of cunningness. The shares of the resort were bought in the name of wife Zeeshan Mirza, two daughters Farhin Rista binte Benazir and Tahsin Raisa binte Benazir. It is known that if you want to stay at this resort for one night, you have to pay a minimum of Tk 11,000 to a maximum of Tk 25,760. It has been found that the current price of land per bigha in this area is Tk 20 lakh.
‘The Kaler Kantho’ has found more assets of the former IGP in different areas of the country. Benazir Ahmed has an investment in the elite hotel Unique Regency in Banani of the capital. Similarly, he has invested a huge amount of money in two hotels in Cox's Bazar. Benazir also bought ownership of Padma Bank and Canadian University.
Benazir’s wealth in abroad by siphoning off money
The information about former IGP of Police and former DG of RAB Benazir Ahmed's huge investment in Dubai, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia has come out from the investigation. He had invested illegally earned money from various sources on the basis of his job as a senior police officer.
According to the information found in the investigation, Benazir Ahmed has a hotel business worth hundreds of millions of TK in Dubai. In addition, he established a gold business in Singapore with an investment of more than Tk of half a billion. Apart from this, it is said that he has bought land in Thailand and Malaysia.
But even though Benzir invested, he did not put his name anywhere. In all places he invested in the name of wife Zeeshan Mirza, wife's brother Mirza Manowar Reza, two daughters Farhin Rishta binte Benazir and Tahsin Raisa binte Benazir.
According to the investigation, Benazir has a large share in the luxurious Concord Hotel and Suites located on Maktum Street in the heart of Dubai. The hotel offers magnificent panoramic views over the famous Dubai Creek and is very close to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek, Golf and Yacht Club, Gold and Spice Bazaar, major shopping and leisure centers. The location of this hotel is three miles away from the Grand Mosque in Dubai.
This hotel owned by Benazir, which was built by siphoning money off the country, includes apartments, executive rooms, suites, and modern rooms, the rent of which is 350 to 1500 dirhams per day, which is equal to Tk 10,000 to 45,000 in Bangladeshi currency.
The investigation also revealed that Benazir Ahmed also owns the private jewelers located next to the popular Mustafa Mart in Singapore. He has invested about Tk half a hundred crore from the country.
Inquiring about Benazir's foreign investment in Bangladesh Bank, it is known that former IGP Benazir Ahmed did not take any permission from Bangladesh Bank to invest abroad as none of his companies were allowed to invest abroad. That is, through money laundering, he has invested in various foreign companies.
According to Bangladesh Bank sources, MBM Garments, Renata, Pran Foods, NASA Group's AJ Super Garments, Columbia Garments, Akiz Jute, Mobil Jamuna Bangladesh, Incepta Pharmaceuticals, DBL, Square Pharma, Spectrum Engineering, Service Engine, Akiz Jute, Beximco Pharma, ACI Healthcare, BSRM, Summit Power, Takeout Limited etc have received approval for foreign investment so far. However, no investment has been allowed in recent times, because there is a dollar crisis in the country. However, in such a critical period of the economy, without taking approval, he siphoned money off and invested Tk of hundreds of crores abroad.
Apart from this, investigation revealed that Benazir Ahmed had smuggled a huge amount of loan from Sonali Bank. The Sonali Bank authorities admitted to giving loans in the name of Benazir's wife and children but refused to disclose the amount.
Looking for more of his assets in the country
Although Benazir's ownership is not disclosed, he has investments in two luxury hotels in Kalatali of Cox's Bazar. The names of the two hotels are Hotel Best Western Premier and Hotel Ramada Limited.
Hotel Unique Regency is located at House No. 59, Road No. 15, Block C in Banani. Benazir also has an investment in this hotel. If you want to stay at the hotel for one night, you have to give from a minimum of 100 dollars or Tk 12 thousand to a maximum of 250 dollars or Tk 30 thousands. This hotel has luxurious rooms like deluxe single, deluxe twin, deluxe king, presidential suites, VIP suites and superior king etc.
Furthermore, Benazir also has investments in Canadian university. The city campus of this university is located at Rangs RL Square in Pragati Sarani. And the permanent campus is in Sector 9 of Purbachal New Town.
On June 3, 2013, the current Padma Bank Plc started its journey under the name of The Farmers Bank Limited. Benazir's family members have ownership in this bank. The bank, which was drowning in loan irregularities, changed its name on January 29 in 2019 and restarted its journey as Padma Bank. But due to business crisis, on March 17 in 2024, it entered into an agreement to merge with Exim Bank. Padma Bank's accumulated losses till 2021 have exceeded Tk 900 crore. The final accounts of the bank for the next two years have not yet arrived. However, in the four years following the change of name, till 2022, the bank lost Tk 246 crore 74 lakh from the newly brought in capital.
Benazir's statement has not yet been received
The reporters of The Kaler Kantho went to her residence Gulshan Rancon Icon Tower Lakeview last Saturday at 8:30 pm to get the statement of Benazir Ahmed about all misdemeanors including acquisition of illegal wealth. At that time, the guard of the house spoke on the intercom and informed the reporter's departure that Benazir was not at home. After that at 9:41, 9:42 and 9:43 minutes, from The Kaler Kantho's official T&T phone, the reporters called Benazir Ahmed's mobile phone three times, but he did not respond. When called twice more at 9:53 and 9:54, he did not pick up. Even, at 10:17 PM, there was no response. From The Kaler Kantho, an SMS was sent to his mobile phone to inquire about his statement. He did not respond to this either. On Monday at 10:30 p.m., when he was called from the phone of the deputy editor of The Kaler Kantho, he did not pick up.
When Asked, ACC Commissioner (Investigation) Md. Zahurul Haque told The Kaler Kantho, “If there is specific evidence of acquiring illegal wealth by misusing power, investigation will be conducted. ACC will investigate corruption no matter how influential the corrupt person is. Legal action will be taken if corruption is found.”
If asked, the executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Iftekharuzzaman told The Kaler Kantho, “All relevant ministries and government departments including ACC should investigate the corruption of Benazir Ahmed in detail as it’s not possible to acquire so much wealth in any legal way, regardless of working at any level of government.”
He said ACC should find out the sources and clues of acquiring assets that are disproportionate to his legitimate income as law is equal for all.
Iftekharuzzaman said, “Benazir Ahmed was very powerful. He held the highest rank in the police force. Everyone knows how influential he is. Because of this, the ACC may be hindered from independently investigating his corruption. However, even if the public is interested in knowing the real facts, Benazir's corruption should be found out.”
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said in the election manifesto of the current government for 2024, it was very strongly stated that those who extract and acquire illegal wealth will be confiscated. Along with that, the culprits involved in the wealth acquired through corruption will be brought under the law and brought to justice. It will be regretful if the ACC is still not able to investigate over Benazir's assets and find out the picture of corruption and take action against him.
