AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader. Photo: Collected
No matter how influential a person is, they must face punishment if they commit a crime, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Friday (24 May) regarding the court order to seize the assets of former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed.
"If someone is found guilty of a crime through the judicial process, why would they be protected? No matter how influential a person is, they must face punishment if they commit a crime," Quader said at a press conference organised at the Awami League's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital this morning.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said, "The government is determined to hold criminals accountable, ensuring no one evades justice. Both the judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) operate independently.
"Regardless of someone's past positions, such as being a former IGP or army chief, if they are implicated in criminal activities, they will face legal consequences according to our country's laws."
"Hence, there is no provision for the government to offer protection to any individual," he added.
On Thursday, a Dhaka court issued a directive to seize the immovable assets registered under the names of Benazir Ahmed, his wife, and daughter. At the same time, the court instructed to freeze their bank accounts.
Senior Special Judge Mohammad Asshams Jaglul Hossain of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court issued this order in response to a plea filed by the ACC. The ACC submitted the application to the court as part of its investigation into the assets of Benazir Ahmed.
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