BSEC freezes BO accounts of ex-IGP Benazir, family members

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has frozen the beneficiary owner (BO) accounts of former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife and children. 

The capital market regulator ordered the freezing of the BO accounts in their names on Monday.

Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) suspended the BO accounts of Benazir Ahmed, his wife Zeeshan Mirza, eldest daughter Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir and younger daughter Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir.

According to the BSEC directive, six BO accounts have been ordered to be frozen until further notice. The step was taken in light of a court order on May 23. 

The shares cannot be sold while the freeze order is in force on those accounts. 

Benazir Ahmed has BO accounts with IFIC Securities Limited and Dragon Securities Limited. His wife Zeeshan Mirza has BO accounts with Southeast Bank Capital Services Limited and EBL Securities Limited, his elder daughter Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir with EBL Securities Limited, and his younger daughter Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir with Dynasty Securities Limited.

Meanwhile, steps are also being taken to freeze the immovable assets and bank accounts of Benazir Ahmed and his family members. 

Public Prosecutor of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Mahmud Hossain Jahangir said earlier that the court order was sent to the sub-registrar of the district concerned so that the land registered under the names of Benazir Ahmed and his family members cannot be handed over. 

The court order has also been sent to the banks concerned so that the money in the bank accounts is not transferred or converted, he added. 

A copy of the court verdict has been sent to the stock market regulatory body BSEC to stop the transfer of the company's shares. 

At the same time, an order to stop the withdrawal of money deposited in the banks has been sent to Sonali Bank and other banks concerned. 

On April 23, the High Court asked the ACC to submit a progress report on the investigation of the alleged illegal wealth of former IGP Benazir Ahmed and his family, within two months.

Previously, Benazir Ahmed broke his silence on April 20, three weeks after a national daily and a TV channel published news alleging illicit assets in his possession.

The ACC in April formed a committee to investigate the alleged corruption of Benazir Ahmed and his family.