ACC sues ex-IGP Benazir, wife, daughters over Tk11cr money laundering
According to the case statement, a large sum of cash was withdrawn from multiple bank accounts, but no evidence of investment has been found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 Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife, and their two daughters on charges of money laundering involving Tk11.34 crore.
Deputy Director Hafizul Islam lodged the case against Benazir, his wife Zeeshan Mirza, and their two daughters, Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir and Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir at the anti-graft watchdog's Dhaka-1 integrated district office today (20 February).
ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain confirmed the development while talking to reporters this afternoon.
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According to the case statement, a large sum of cash was withdrawn from multiple bank accounts, but no evidence of investment has been found.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 on 24 April 2024.
On the same day, his wife, Zeeshan Mirza, withdrew Tk1 crore, followed by another Tk1 crore the next day.
Their eldest daughter, Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir, withdrew Tk17.50 lakh in cash on 29 April 2024.
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 on 30 April 2024, 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Additionally, Tk14 lakh was withdrawn in cash via a cheque from an account under the name "Savanna Farm Product."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 on 30 April 2024, 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 on 29 April and Tk16 lakh on 30 April 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.
