ACC files case against Benazir, wife, two daughters

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife and two daughters for allegedly laundering Tk 11.34 crore through bribery and corruption by abusing their power.

Md Hafizul Islam, Deputy Director of the Dhaka Integrated District Office-1 of ACC filed the case against Benazir, his wife Zeeshan Mirza, and their two daughters, Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir and Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir on Thursday (February 20).

According to the case statement, a large sum of cash was withdrawn from multiple bank accounts, but no evidence of investment has been found.

The ACC alleges that the accused concealed or transferred illicit funds by withdrawing them in cash, violating Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, along with Section 109 of the Penal Code.

The case details reveal that after the ACC launched its investigation, Benazir Ahmed withdrew Tk5 crore via cheque from his account at Community Bank’s Corporate Branch in Dhaka. His wife Zeeshan Mirza withdrew Tk2 crore. Their eldest daughter, Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir, withdrew Tk17.50 lakh in cash.

These withdrawals were made by prematurely encashing long-term fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) in their names, for which no legitimate source of funds was found.

The ACC alleges that Benazir Ahmed accumulated this wealth through corruption and abuse of power while serving in key positions, including as the director general of RAB and the inspector general of police.

Further investigation revealed that a suspicious transaction of Tk3.07 crore was made from an account at Sonali Bank, jointly owned by Benazir Ahmed’s wife and daughters, under the name “Southern Business Initiative.”

Additionally, Tk14 lakh was withdrawn in cash via a cheque from an account under the name “Savanna Farm Product.”

The ACC also found that Zeeshan Mirza withdrew Tk60 lakh in cash from her savings account at Premier Bank’s Uttara Branch in Dhaka.

Their daughter, Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir, withdrew Tk20 lakh and Tk16 lakh from her savings account.

In total, Tk11.34 crore was withdrawn in cash from seven accounts across three banks – three at Community Bank, two at Sonali Bank, and two at Premier Bank – within just four working days.

No record of investment was found, suggesting an attempt to conceal the transactions.

Shortly after the withdrawals, the individuals involved left the country, further raising suspicions of illegal fund transfers.

Based on these findings, the accused have been charged with laundering illicit funds abroad, a punishable offence under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, and the Penal Code.