Benjir is not going to ACC on Thursday, the application is seeking time

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed is not appearing before the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday (June 6). He has sought 15 days time through his lawyer to appear before ACC.

Commissioner (Investigation) said in response to a question from reporters at the ACC head office on Wednesday (June 5). Zahurul Haque informed this information.

He said, I don't know exactly. But, I heard, he (Benji) applied for time. Although it's up to the search team, it's up to them. They will know better. Because this issue does not come up to the commission.

ACC Commissioner said, there is an opportunity in the law to ask for time. ACC can give 15 days if it wants time. 

Reports were published in a daily newspaper titled 'Aladdin's lamp in Benazir's house' on March 31 and 'Benazir's resort in forest land' on April 3. Allegations of acquiring illegal wealth against former IGP Benazir and his family members have surfaced. After examining the complaint, the ACC decided to investigate.

As part of the investigation, Benazir Ahmed was summoned for questioning on June 6 and his wife Zeeshan Mirza and two daughters on June 9. However, none of them are believed to be in the country. However, ACC has not given any ban on their foreign travel. 

According to various sources, a copy of the court order to stop the sale and transfer of seized land in the name of Benazir and his family members has been sent to the concerned district registrar and the concerned sub-registrar. A copy of the court judgment has been sent to the concerned Deputy Commissioner and the concerned Aceland Office so that the land is not registered in someone else's name.

Besides, the order of the court has been sent to the Directorate of Joint Venture Companies and Firms to stop the transfer of ownership of the company. At the same time, blocking orders have been sent to Sonali Bank and other related banks to stop withdrawal of money deposited in the bank.

On May 23, the court ordered the seizure of 83 properties and 33 bank accounts of former IGP Benazir. On the other hand, on May 26, the court ordered the seizure of 119 land deeds, 23 company shares and four flats in Gulshan in the name of Benazir and his family members. On May 23, 345 bighas (114 acres) of land, 33 accounts of various banks were ordered to be seized and blocked. In continuation of this, the order to seize immovable assets and bank accounts of Benazir and his wife and children has been started. A total of 627 bighas of land has already been encroached.

On April 22, ACC started investigating allegations of illegal acquisition of wealth against Benazir, his wife Jisan Mirza, two daughters Farhin Rishta bint Benazir and Tashin Raisa bint Benazir. A three-member special investigation team headed by Hafizul Islam, deputy director of the agency's head office, is probing the allegations. The other two members of the team are Assistant Director Niamul Ahsan Ghazi and Zainal Abedin.

Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon, Member of Parliament of Habiganj-4 (Madhavpur-Chunarughat) Constituency, applied to ACC to take necessary legal action against Benazir on April 21.

According to the source of the complaint, Benji's former IGP. He joined as the 30th IGP and retired after 34 years and seven months. He retired on 30 September 2022. After his retirement, Benazir was found to have acquired huge assets in the name of his wife and daughters, significantly disproportionate to his legitimate income.

According to reports, the former IGP has acquired huge wealth in the names of his wife Zeeshan Mirza, elder daughter Farhin Rishta bint Benazir and younger daughter Tahsin Raisa bint Benazir. Among them, six companies, expensive flats and houses in upscale areas of the capital, shares in Best Holding, shares in five-star hotel La Meridien, 'Savanna Eco Resort' in Gopalganj, a huge land of 418 decimals in Saint Martin Island. These assets are much more than the legitimate income of Benazir, his wife and daughters.

Benzir was IGP from 15 April 2020 to 30 September 2022. Prior to this, he served as Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Director General of RAB. It is reported that Benazir was among the seven former and current RAB officials who were sanctioned by the United States in December 2021 for alleged human rights violations