Where are former National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Matiur Rahman and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who allegedly amassed vast wealth through corruption and irregularities? Matiur has been out of the public eye since a scandal involving his son, while sources indicate that he remains in Dhaka. Benazir, however, is reportedly in Turkey.
Matiur Rahman, a former member of the NBR, has accumulated a significant amount of wealth in the names of his wife, children, and relatives. His properties span multiple regions, including Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, Narsingdi, and Barisal. He also has substantial investments in public and private banks and the capital market, amounting to hundreds of crores of taka.
Following the infamous goat scandal involving his son, Matiur has maintained a low profile. Although he was reassigned to the Internal Resources Department from the NBR, he has not been seen in his office since the Eid holidays. Rumors have circulated that Matiur might have left the country using another passport, but sources confirm he is still in Dhaka, albeit staying very discreet.
Matiur's first wife, Laila Kaniz Laki, who serves as the chairman of Raipura Upazila, is also reported to have amassed considerable wealth over the last 15 years. Her assets are spread across various parts of the country, not just Raipura. Laila's wealth, along with that of her children, Taufiqur Rahman Arnab and Farzana Rahman Ipsita, has drawn the attention of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which has launched an investigation.
On June 24, ACC Deputy Director Md. Anwar Hossain filed an appeal to the court to ban Matiur Rahman, his wife Laila Kaniz, and their son Ahmed Taufiqur Rahman Arnab from leaving the country. The court granted the request, and since then, Laila Kaniz has remained in the country, frequently seen in Narsingdi with her entourage.
During the quota reform movement, Narsingdi became a hotspot, witnessing incidents like the burning of an intercity train heading to Kishoreganj, the destruction of the Sylhet highway, and vandalism and arson at the district jail. Despite being an Awami League nominee and Raipura Upazila chairman, Laila Kaniz was noticeably absent from the scene during these tumultuous events.
Laila Kaniz, who transitioned from being a teacher to a politician, is known to own a substantial amount of wealth. Her assets are spread across constituencies, including Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, Pubail, Jessore, and other districts and upazilas in the country.
On the other hand, the current whereabouts of former IGP Benazir Ahmed and his family are less clear. After the ACC began investigating allegations of illegal wealth acquisition against him, Benazir reportedly fled the country. Initial reports suggested he flew to Singapore, but various sources now claim he is residing in Turkey.
Benazir Ahmed has considerable wealth, including resorts and hotels in different parts of the country. He left Bangladesh with his family on May 4, amid the ACC's investigation into his alleged corrupt activities. Benazir served as the IGP from April 2020 to September 2022 and was the Director General of RAB from January 2015 to April 2020. Prior to these roles, he held the position of Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for an extended period.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on July 31 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
