Former IGP Benazir Ahmed. File Photo
Former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has sought 15 days' time from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to respond to its summons notice, which asked him to appear before the anti-graft body tomorrow (6 June).
The former IGP made the request through his lawyer, ACC Commissioner (investigation) Md Jahurul Haque told reporters at the ACC headquarters on Wednesday (5 June).
The ACC has last month asked Benazir to appear before it tomorrow and his family members on 9 June to face questioning over a large amount of assets outside of their known income.
"I don't know [the details] exactly. But, I heard, he [Benazir] applied for time. Although, it's up to the investigation team [whether the request will be approved or not]. They will know better. Because this matter does not come up to the commission," Jahurul Haque said.
He, however, said Benazir and his family are entitled to request an extension as per law. The ACC can grant his request.
"If Benazir or his family can't appear on the fixed dates and request for an extension, the ACC will consider their request in line with the relevant law and regulations," ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam told the media.
According to the ACC, the former IGP showed a huge amount of assets in his income tax file, but the commission plans to look into the legitimate sources of those assets and his income generation.
On 27 May, at the request of the ACC, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission sent a letter to the Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL), instructing it to freeze the BO accounts tied to Benazir and his family.
The CDBL usually facilitates the transfer and settlement of shares and other securities against BO accounts.
According to the BSEC letter, Benazir Ahmed, his wife Zeeshan Mirza and his daughter Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir have six separate BO accounts in five brokerage firms: IFIC Securities, Dragon Securities, Southeast Bank Capital Services, EBL Securities, and Dynasty Securities Ltd.
When BO accounts are frozen, no transactions, including trading of securities or shares, are permitted. However, deposits can be made into these accounts, yet withdrawals are restricted.
The BSEC directive says the six BO accounts must be frozen until further notice, following an order from the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court in Dhaka.
The specific amount of funds invested through these BO accounts, however, remains undisclosed. Official representatives from the BSEC declined to provide any formal comments on the matter.
Messenger/Sumon
