Inside the Benazir File

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, once one of the most powerful figures in Bangladesh’s law enforcement hierarchy, has been arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with assistance from Interpol.

The arrest comes after a prolonged period in which he was a fugitive in cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). His detention is being viewed by officials as a significant development in ongoing anti-corruption enforcement efforts.

Authorities said the arrest was carried out through international cooperation. Under UAE legal procedures, a formal extradition request must be submitted through diplomatic channels within 30 days of the arrest date.

Bangladesh Police units in Dhaka and Abu Dhabi are currently working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to complete the extradition process and bring him back to Bangladesh.

Two cases are pending against him — one under the Anti-Corruption Prevention Act and another under the Bangladesh Passport Act.

Benazir Ahmed joined the Bangladesh Police in 1988 and held several key positions during his career, including Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and IGP from April 2020 to September 2022.

He is widely described as having been a highly influential figure during the Awami League government.

He faces allegations not only of corruption but also of serious misconduct, including claims relating to human rights violations and illegal occupation of forest land.

Following media reports exposing alleged irregularities, he reportedly left the country with his family in mid-2024.

He had earlier been sanctioned by the United States in 2021 over allegations including abuse of power and misuse of academic credentials. Despite this, he remained in service until his retirement.

Asset Allegations and Investigation Findings
Investigations by the ACC allege that Benazir Ahmed and his family accumulated substantial undeclared wealth over several years.

Documents from four ACC cases indicate a total of Tk 74 crore in allegedly illegally acquired assets and concealed wealth linked to him, his wife and two daughters.

According to case details, Benazir Ahmed is accused of acquiring assets worth Tk 9 crore 44 lakh beyond known income and concealing Tk 2 crore 62 lakh in assets.

His wife, Jishan Mirza, is alleged to have acquired Tk 31 crore 69 lakh in illegal assets and concealed Tk 16 crore 1 lakh.

Their elder daughter, Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir, is accused of acquiring Tk 8 crore 75 lakh in illegal assets, while the younger daughter, Tahsin Raisa Binte Benazir, is alleged to have acquired Tk 5 crore 59 lakh in illegal assets.

Investigators have also identified four flats in Gulshan, 33 bank accounts, shares in 19 companies, three BO accounts, and savings certificates worth Tk 30 lakh in the names of family members.

Land Acquisition and Business Interests

The ACC investigation further outlines a significant increase in land ownership over time. During his tenure as IGP, 466.79 bighas of land were reportedly purchased in the names of his wife and children through 163 separate deeds.

The family’s land acquisition began in 2009 with the purchase of 40 decimals of land in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar for Tk 5 lakh.

In 2014, Benazir himself purchased 175 decimals (5.30 bighas) of land through five deeds, declared at Tk 54 lakh 87 thousand. In 2016, he acquired 980 decimals (around 29.69 bighas) in Gopalganj through five deeds, declared at Tk 40 lakh 2 thousand.

Between 2017 and 2019, Benazir and his family reportedly purchased 116.24 bighas through 22 deeds, declared at Tk 4 crore 25 lakh 46 thousand. Overall, between 2009 and 2019, the family acquired 152.85 bighas valued at a declared Tk 5 crore 25 lakh.

In 2020, when he became IGP, 46.57 bighas were purchased through 12 deeds, largely in Gopalganj Sadar and Tungipara, mostly in the name of his wife, with a declared value of Tk 1 crore 61 lakh. In 2021, Jishan Mirza allegedly purchased 219.77 bighas through 91 deeds under the name Savannah Farm, declared at Tk 7 crore 52 lakh. By August 2022, an additional 200.44 bighas were purchased, declared at Tk 6 crore 50 lakh.

Overall, the family is said to have acquired land through 202 deeds, with 196 deeds showing a declared value of Tk 20 crore 87 lakh.

The family also owns Savannah Eco Resort Private Limited, reportedly developed on around 1,400 bighas of land in Sahapur, Gopalganj, along with at least 19 companies, including Savannah Farm Products, Savannah Agro Limited, Savannah Natural Park, Savannah Country Club and Shishir Bindu.

Investigators further note four luxury flats totalling 9,192 square feet in Gulshan, registered in 2023 at a declared value of Tk 2 crore 19 lakh, along with a 5-katha plot in Savar, the value of which is yet to be determined.
Legal Proceedings

The ACC filed cases against Benazir Ahmed and his family on 15 December 2024 after a detailed investigation. A charge sheet was submitted on 30 November 2025, and following its acceptance, a Dhaka special court issued an arrest warrant in March this year. Formal charges were framed in May in his absence.

Authorities say efforts are now focused on completing extradition procedures and bringing the former police chief back to Bangladesh to face trial in what is described as one of the most significant corruption cases in recent years.