Former IGP Benazir’s cashier Rifat arrested

Bangla Press Desk:  Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has arrested Rifat Niloy Joarder, known as the ‘cashier’ of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, on allegations of providing funds to suppress the July movement.

He was arrested from the capital’s Dhanmondi area on Tuesday night.

Confirming the arrest, DB’s Chief Additional Police Commissioner (DIG) Md Shafiqul Islam said Rifat Niloy faces multiple serious allegations and that important information has emerged during initial interrogation regarding the charges brought against him.

According to DB sources, Rifat Niloy Joarder is accused of arranging financial support to curb the July movement. Investigations have revealed that during the movement he was involved in collecting funds from various sources and delivering the money to specific individuals. Despite being an accused in several murder cases, he had reportedly been moving freely for a long time.

There are also allegations that Rifat Niloy was in charge of overseeing several flats in Dhaka city allegedly under the control of former Special Branch (SB) chief Monirul Islam and former IGP Benazir Ahmed.

Relevant sources said Rifat would collect monthly rent by leasing out these flats and then transfer the money to Benazir Ahmed and Monirul Islam.

Detective officials said that following the arrest, Rifat Niloy’s financial transactions, property management activities and the network involved in financing the suppression of the movement are being examined. The DB said it is verifying whether others were involved and that necessary legal action will be taken accordingly.

DB sources added that investigators believe the arrest could bring to light a broader picture of financial irregularities and illegal asset management linked to former senior police officials.

BP/SP