The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has directed the freezing of all stock market accounts belonging to former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife Jishan Mirza, and their younger daughter Tahsin Raisha Binte Benazir.
On Monday, May 27, BSEC instructed the Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) to freeze all beneficiary owner (BO) accounts held by them. This order prohibits any deposits or withdrawals from these accounts while the freeze is in effect.
Additionally, BSEC sent related directives to CDBL and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on the same day. The family collectively holds six BO accounts in the stock market.
Benazir Ahmed’s accounts are with IFIC Securities Limited and Dragon Securities Limited. His wife, Jishan Mirza, has accounts with Southeast Bank Capital Services Limited and EBL Securities Limited. Their elder daughter, Farhin Rishta Binte Benazir, holds an account with EBL Securities Limited, while their younger daughter, Tahsin Raisha Binte Benazir, has an account with Dynasty Securities Limited.
The BSEC’s directive stated that in accordance with an order from the Senior Special Judge’s Court, six BO accounts across five brokerage houses are to be frozen until further notice. As per the court’s order, no funds can be withdrawn from these accounts while the freeze is in place.
Previously, on May 23, the court ordered the confiscation of assets belonging to the former police officer. This order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad As-Sams Jaglul Hossain following the submission of 83 documents by the ACC.
On the following day, the court ordered the seizure of 119 movable and immovable assets, including four apartments in Gulshan, owned by Benazir Ahmed and his family.
Meanwhile, the ACC continues to investigate Benazir Ahmed’s assets. The ACC lawyer stated that more properties might be seized as further evidence is uncovered.
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam mentioned that if additional assets are found, the ACC will seek court approval for their confiscation. So far, 35 bank accounts linked to the former police chief have been frozen.
