A Dhaka court has ordered the confiscation of newly discovered assets belonging to former Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Benazir Ahmed.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad As-Shams Jaglul Hossain issued the order on Wednesday (11 June).
The newly identified assets include 24 katha of land in Rupganj, Narayanganj; 3 katha of land in Uttara; 39.30 decimal land with two flats in Badda; 25 acres of land in Bandarban; six flats in the Adabor Thana PC Culture area under his wife Jissan Mirza's name; a six-story building in Gulshan inherited from his father through a power of attorney; shares in Citizen TV; and shares in Tiger Apparels.
Previously, on 23 May and 26 May, the court ordered the confiscation of 621 bighas of land belonging to Benazir Ahmed and his family members. Of this, around 521 bighas were found under the name of Benazir's wife, Jissan Mirza. The remaining 100 bighas of land are registered under the names of Benazir, his three daughters—Farhin Rishta Binte Benazir, Tahsin Raisha Binte Benazir, and Zara Zerin Binte Benazir—and relative Abu Saeed Md Khaled.
On 31 March, a vernacular daily published a report under the title, "Aladiner Cherag at the house of Benzir".
Similar reports were published by a number of other media outlets on 1-2 April, which sparked widespread discussion on the enormous wealth visibly amassed by Benazir Ahmed through his career as a policeman.
After that, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking an investigation into the allegation brought against ex-IGP Benazir and his family.
Salauddin Regan, a Supreme Court lawyer, filed the writ petition.
The writ petition also sought an investigation into the allegation.
It also sought the issuance of a rule asking the government to explain why the ineffectiveness of the ACC in investigating the wealth of Benazir should not be declared illegal.
The chairman of the ACC, ACC Commissioners and ACC secretary were made respondents to the writ petition.
On 22 April, ACC formed a committee to investigate the alleged corruption of Benazir Ahmed and his family.
Then on 23 April, the High Court asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to submit a progress report on the investigation within two months.
Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon MP also filed a petition with ACC seeking legal steps against Benazir.
