Gopalganj admin takes over Benazir’s 621-bigha Savanna resort

The Gopalganj district administration has taken over the Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park, owned by former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family, amid allegations that he amassed his wealth illegally.

On Friday (7 June) night, the district administration and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced the takeover through a public address (PA) system in front of the resort’s main gate.

As a result, the district administration assumed authority over the property from Saturday (8 June), in accordance with a court order.

ACC Deputy Director of Gopalganj office Md Mashiur Rhaman said, “We will compile a list of movable and immovable properties and hang signboards. All park activities will thereafter be overseen by the deputy commissioner, including financial matters, with no visitor entry restrictions.”

According to the ACC, Benazir constructed the Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park spanning 621 bighas of land at Bairagitol and Maskandi villages of the sadar upazila during his tenure as the director general of Rapid Action Battalion from 2015 to 2020 and later as the IGP from 2020 to 2022.

Locals alleged that individuals from the Hindu community were the rightful owners of the land, but they were forced, threatened, and deceived into selling their properties, with a considerable portion of the land forcibly seized.

Following media reports on Benazir’s wealth, the ACC initiated an inquiry, leading to a court order to seize the properties belonging to Benazir and his family, including the Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park.

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Benazir purchased four apartments on the 12th and 13th floors of Rancon Icon Tower in Dhaka for his wife and daughters on 5 March 2023 for Tk2.19 crore, according to the ACC.  

The declared price for these flats, covering a total area of 9,192 square feet, is significantly lower than the market value for such luxurious apartments.

In addition to the four luxury flats, the ACC uncovered a significant amount of wealth tied to Benazir and his family. This includes 33 bank accounts and four beneficiary owner’s accounts, a savings account with a balance of Tk30 lakh, full ownership of four companies and partial ownership in 15 others.

The former police chief came under the ACC scrutiny only after a national daily ran a two-part report on his undisclosed asset acquisition.

The ACC said court orders have already led to the seizure of some of these properties. Any additional undeclared assets discovered will also be subject to court orders for confiscation.

The commission is currently probing the possibility of Benazir owning property abroad, with officials suggesting that more significant assets may yet be found.