TDS Desk:

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax documents of former Detective Branch (DB) chief Mohammad Harunur Rashid and former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed’s wife Zeeshan Mirza and daughter Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz issued the order to Dhaka Tax Region-20 on Wednesday following three separate applications filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Riaz Hossain, a bench assistant of the court, confirmed the information. ACC Deputy Director Muhammad Joynal Abedin submitted the applications seeking the income tax documents of the three individuals.

The ACC’s application regarding DB Harun stated that he allegedly committed an offence under the ACC Act by abusing his government position to acquire assets worth Tk17.51 crore and retaining them unlawfully. The commission said seizing and reviewing his income tax records is crucial for a fair investigation.

In the case of Zeeshan Mirza, the ACC claimed that she violated Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, by concealing assets worth Tk3.17 crore acquired outside known income. Her husband, Benazir Ahmed, allegedly aided her in the crime by abusing his influential position in the Bangladesh Police. The ACC stressed that reviewing their income tax records is essential for a thorough investigation.

The application concerning Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir alleged that she acquired and possessed movable and immovable assets worth Tk 5.59 crore outside declared income, an offence under Section 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004.

Benazir Ahmed is also accused of abetting her by misusing his authority, which constitutes an offence under Section 109 of the Penal Code.

The ACC requested that her income tax documents be seized to ensure a fair investigation.