Dhaka: A court here today issued an arrest warrant against the disgraced former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed over graft charges. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib passed the order, allowing a plea of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The court directed to execute the order through the help of Interpol.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ACC deputy director Hafizul Islam filed the plea with the court, stating the former IGP is at large abroad and should be brought to justice. As Benazir Ahmed is currently overseas, the plea advocated for an arrest warrant to be issued through Interpol.
After conducting a hearing on the matter, the court issued the arrest warrant against Benazir Ahmed. In a preceding move on January 13, the court ordered authorities to seize tax files belonging to Benazir Ahmed and his elder daughter, Farhin Rishta Binte Benazir. Earlier, on January 8, the court had also ordered the seizure of tax files of Benazir’s wife, Jishan Mirza, and second daughter, Tahsin Raisa Binte Benazir.
On December 15, 2024, the ACC filed four cases against Benazir Ahmed, his wife, and daughters. The case documents reveal that the former IGP amassed illegal wealth amounting to Taka 9.44 crore and concealed information regarding properties worth Taka 2.62 crore.
The anti-graft body, in its plea, further accused Jishan Mirza of concealing information about wealth valued at Taka 16 crore and amassing illegal properties worth Taka 31.69 crore. Benazir’s elder daughter, Farhin Rishta Binte Benazir, is accused of amassing illegal wealth of Taka 8.75 crore, while his second daughter, Tahsin, is accused of amassing illegal wealth of Taka 5.59 crore.