What prompted the arrest warrant for Benazir Ahmed?
A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed. This action follows the court’s cognizance of a charge sheet filed in a case concerning alleged illegal assets.
The case was initiated on December 15, 2024, by Hafizul Islam, a deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The charge sheet was subsequently submitted by the ACC on November 30, 2025.
Details of the allegations
Benazir Ahmed faces serious accusations, including amassing wealth beyond her known sources of income, concealing asset information, and laundering money. According to the investigation, she declared movable assets worth Tk6.45 crore and immovable assets worth Tk5.74 crore in her asset statement.
However, the investigation revealed that she possessed movable assets valued at Tk7.52 crore and immovable assets worth Tk8.15 crore, bringing the total value of identified assets to approximately Tk15.68 crore. Notably, assets worth Tk11.04 crore were identified as being acquired beyond her known sources of income.
Financial discrepancies and implications
The charge sheet alleges that funds were invested, transferred, and converted through various bank accounts and business establishments, raising significant concerns about the legitimacy of her financial activities. The court has classified Benazir Ahmed as a fugitive.
As the situation unfolds, the court has directed authorities to submit a report on the execution of the arrest warrant by March 30, 2026. The implications of this case could have far-reaching effects on public trust in law enforcement and accountability in Bangladesh.
What lies ahead?
With the arrest warrant now issued, the next steps will involve law enforcement agencies attempting to locate and apprehend Benazir Ahmed. Details remain unconfirmed regarding her current whereabouts and any potential legal defenses she may pursue.
