Benazir concealed identity to get passport: ACC

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday uncovered new allegations of fraud against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, accusing him of concealing his identity in his passport.

The former police chief took passport concealing his real identity, the ACC officials said.

Sources said that ACC officials revealed that Benazir Ahmed misrepresented his identity on his passport, stating that he was a private sector employee rather than acknowledging his position as a police officer. As a result, he did not receive the official blue passport nor opted for the red passport he was entitled to.

When detected during renewal, the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) blocked the passport and sent a letter to the RAB headquarters for scrutiny. However, he managed everything through illegal influence. Later, using that passport, he fled the country secretly.

A team led by ACC Deputy Director Hafizul Islam interrogated the officials of the passport department from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the ACC headquarters on Tuesday.

The officials include - four directors of passport department, a deputy director, and two deputy directors.

Earlier on Monday, ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmin told reporters that Benazir Ahmeds wife and two daughters were scheduled appear at the hearing on Monday but they neither appeared nor applied for a postponement.

Instead, they sent a written statement on Thursday outlining their position, which included inputs from Benazir Ahmed. The ACC did not disclose the contents of this statement.

"The investigation team is conducting their activities according to ACC law and will submit their report within the stipulated time," Yasmin said.

Now the Anti-Corruption Commission can take necessary action after completion of the investigation. The commission would take decisions on the next course of action based on the investigation report, Khorsheda Yasmin added.

The law will take its due course, she said.

The ACC on 28 May summoned former IGP Benazir Ahmed, his wife and three daughters for questioning about his huge amount of assets.

Benazir was asked to appear on 6 June while his wife and daughters were on 9 June to present their statements.

But the former police chief sought 15 more days through his lawyer on 5 June. Later, he sent a written statement to the ACC on 21 June.

Benazir, hailing from Gopalganj, was regarded as one of the most influential police chiefs in Bangladeshs history. His unbridled corruption raised eyebrows when it was first reported by a vernacular daily. Benazir rejected the allegations in a video message on his Facebook profile and has since avoided public appearances.

He and his family members fled the country earlier last month after emptying some of his bank accounts and liquidating assets. Their current whereabouts are unknown.