Ex-IGP Benazir Graft Case Moves to Testimony Stage

Bangla Press Desk:  Testimony has begun in a graft case filed against former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed over allegations of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income, concealing asset information, and money laundering.

The complainant in the case and ACC Deputy Director Hafizul Islam testified before Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 on Wednesday.

Following his deposition, the court fixed 20 May for the next hearing on witness testimony, the court’s bench assistant, Sohanur Rahman, said.

On 3 May, the same court framed charges against Benazir, formally initiating the trial.

ACC Deputy Director Hafizul Islam filed the case on 15 December 2024.

After an investigation, the ACC submitted a charge sheet against Benazir on 30 November last year, alleging that he declared immovable assets worth Tk6.45 crore and movable assets worth Tk5.74 crore in his wealth statement.

However, the investigation found immovable assets worth Tk7.52 crore and movable assets worth Tk8.15 crore in his name, taking the total value of his assets to Tk15.67 crore.His lawful income was found to be Tk6.59 crore, and after expenses, his net savings stood at Tk4.63 crore. Therefore, he allegedly acquired Tk11.04 crore in unexplained wealth.

The allegations further stated that the former police chief concealed the source, nature, and ownership of these funds and invested, transferred, and converted them through various bank accounts, business entities, and joint-stock companies.