The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved the filing of a charge sheet against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed after uncovering evidence of wealth amassed beyond his known sources of income and concealment of information in his wealth statement.
According to the investigation report, Benazir had declared immovable assets worth Tk 64.5 million and movable assets worth Tk 57.4 million in response to an ACC notice.
However, the probe revealed undeclared properties - immovable assets worth Tk 75.2 million and movable assets worth Tk 81.5 million - indicating concealment of Tk 18.5 million and Tk 24 million respectively.
ACC Assistant Director (Public Relations) Tanzir Ahmed confirmed the approval to the media on Monday.
Investigators also found that Benazir failed to disclose immovable properties registered under the name of his minor daughter, Miz Zahra Zarin Binte Benazir.
The ACC noted that such concealment constitutes an offense under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.
The inquiry found that Benazir had possessed total assets exceeding Tk 156.8 million, against a declared income of Tk65.9 million and expenses of Tk 19.5 million - leaving a legitimate saving of only Tk46.3 million.
This means he held Tk110.4 million in unexplained wealth.
The ACC said the undisclosed funds were transferred and converted through multiple bank accounts, businesses, and joint ventures, acts that fall under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.
It said that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the former police chief under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
As part of the inquiry, the ACC has sent Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLARs) to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to verify any foreign assets linked to Benazir.
Further legal measures will follow once the responses are received, the commission said.
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