Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has reportedly been arrested by the Dubai City Police in the United Arab Emirates in connection with a case filed by the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). A senior official at the Police Headquarters confirmed the arrest, stating that Interpol assisted in the process.
The official, who requested anonymity, stated that the ACC was informed of the matter through a letter sent on June 12.
According to ACC sources, a case was filed against Benazir Ahmed on December 15, 2024, on charges of illegal acquisition of wealth, concealment of asset information, and money laundering. The investigation reportedly uncovered evidence of illegal assets worth over BDT 110 crore, significantly exceeding his declared income.
On March 8, 2026, a Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against him, instructing its execution through Interpol given his suspected presence abroad. Subsequently, Dubai Police arrested him with Interpol’s assistance, as stated in the report.
The report further states that Benazir Ahmed had been residing abroad for a long time. He reportedly left Dhaka on May 4 of last year with his wife and daughters on a Singapore Airlines flight. Since then, he was believed to be residing in various countries. Processes to investigate his assets in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada were also underway.
He is currently in the custody of Dubai Police, and the ACC will initiate the necessary legal procedures for his extradition to Bangladesh. Five witnesses have already provided statements in the case, and the next hearing is scheduled for June 23.
It is worth noting that Benazir Ahmed assumed the role of IGP in April 2020. In December 2021, the United States imposed visa sanctions on him over allegations of human rights violations.