12 more testify in graft case against ex-IGP Benazir

A Dhaka court on Wednesday recorded the testimony of 12 more witnesses in a graft case against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed over allegations of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income and money laundering.

Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 recorded the testimony and set 5 November for the next hearing.

So far, 34 of the 36 prosecution witnesses have testified, according to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam.

On 3 May, the same court framed charges against Benazir, formally initiating the trial. The court had taken cognisance of the charge sheet and issued an arrest warrant against him on 8 March.

ACC Deputy Director Hafizul Islam filed the case on 15 December 2024, alleging that Benazir acquired wealth beyond known sources of income, concealed assets and laundered money.

After investigation, the ACC submitted a charge sheet against Benazir on 30 November last year, alleging he had declared immovable assets worth Tk6.45 crore and movable assets worth Tk5.74 crore in his wealth statement.

However, the investigation found immovable assets worth Tk7.52 crore and movable assets worth Tk8.15 crore in his name, bringing the total asset value to Tk15.68 crore.

His lawful income was found to be Tk6.59 crore, while his net savings after expenses stood at Tk4.63 crore. The ACC therefore alleged that he had acquired Tk11.04 crore in unexplained wealth.

The allegations further state that Benazir concealed the source, nature and ownership of the funds and invested, transferred and converted them through various bank accounts and businesses.