National
ACC: Former IGP Benazir Must Appear by June 23
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has been given a final deadline of June 23 to appear before the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for questioning regarding allegations of amassing illegal wealth, according to ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan. Failure to comply by this date will result in legal action, Khan stated to reporters at the Supreme Court on June 20.
Benazir Ahmed was initially scheduled to appear before the ACC on June 6. However, the deadline was extended to June 23 following a request from his lawyer, who sought an additional 15 days to respond to the summons.
Khurshid Alam emphasized that investigations into the former IGP and his family’s substantial assets, which exceed their known income, are advancing swiftly. Evidence of additional illegal assets has been uncovered, and the ACC intends to petition the court to confiscate these assets soon.
The ACC’s investigation has revealed significant assets in Benazir Ahmed’s name and those of his family members. Amid this probe, Benazir and his family left the country on May 4. Benazir served as IGP from April 2020 to September 2022 and was the Director General of RAB from January 2015 to April 2020. He also held the position of Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for an extended period.
ACC prosecutors have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The court has ordered the seizure of assets discovered so far. Recently, the ACC identified eight more flats in Dhaka linked to Benazir Ahmed and his family: six in Adabor and two commercial spaces in a 14-story building in Badda named Rupayan Limited Square.
In total, 12 flats have been found under Benazir Ahmed’s family’s name, including four previously discovered in Gulshan. Senior Special Judge of Dhaka Metropolitan, Mohammad Assams Zagul Hossain, has ordered the seizure of the eight newly identified flats, approximately 76 bighas (25 acres) of land, and shares in private Citizen Television and Tiger Craft Apparels Limited.
Previously, the court had ordered the seizure of 621 bighas of land in Gopalganj, Madaripur, Cox’s Bazar, and Savar in Dhaka, shares in 19 companies, and four flats in Gulshan. Additionally, the court froze Tk 3 million in savings certificates, 33 bank accounts, and three BO accounts (beneficiary owner’s accounts for share trading). In total, 697 bighas of land have been found in the name of Benazir Ahmed’s family.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the National Primary Education Week-2024 today, emphasizing a renewed commitment to ensuring quality education for children. The event took place at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, where the prime minister served as the chief guest.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Hasina distributed the Primary Education Medal-2023 to 126 stakeholders in recognition of their contributions to primary education. The awards were presented in 18 categories, with 36 students, 15 individuals, and three organizations receiving medals directly from the prime minister.
The theme for this year’s Primary Education Week is “Shishu Bandhov Prathomik Shikkha, Smart Bangladesher Deekkha,” underscoring the importance of child-friendly primary education as a foundation for a smart Bangladesh.
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Rumana Ali and Secretary Farid Ahmed also addressed the audience at the event. Additionally, a video documentary showcasing the development of primary and mass education across the country was screened.
A two-hour downpour this morning brought much-needed relief from the oppressive heat but also caused significant disruption for commuters in Dhaka.
The rain, which began around 9:30 am and continued until 11:30 am, led to flooding in several areas, including Malibagh, Moghbazar, Shantinagar, Farmgate, Badda, Mirpur, and Khilkhet. Office-goers and residents found themselves wading through ankle-deep water to reach their destinations.
While the rainfall provided a respite from the heat, it also highlighted the city’s drainage problems as people struggled to navigate the waterlogged streets. Many were seen battling the flooded roads, underscoring the ongoing issues with Dhaka’s infrastructure.
The sky had been overcast since early morning, and the rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, helped alleviate the stifling heat that had gripped the city for the past few days.
Four death row convicts were recaptured this morning (26 June), just hours after escaping from Bogura Central Jail late last night.
The convicts managed to break out by scaling a wall through a breach in the roof. They were apprehended in the vicinity of the jail this morning, Jailer Mohammad Faridur Rahman informed the media.
District Additional Superintendent of Police Snigdha Akhtar stated, “The issue is very sensitive. The district superintendent of police will announce the details in this regard at a later time.”
Following the escape, coordinated efforts by jail police and district police led to the convicts being detained in the Chashi Bazar area of Bogura Sadar upazila.
District Superintendent of Police Sudip Kumar Chakraborty confirmed that the four convicts were involved in a murder case. The escapees were identified as Nazrul, 68, from Kurigram; Amir Hamza, 41, from Narsingdi; Abdul Mannan, 34, and Farid Sheikh, 30, both from Bogura.
