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Interpol-listed former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, despite securing bail from a court in the United Arab Emirates, remains under a strict travel ban and cannot leave the country until judicial extradition proceedings with Bangladesh are fully concluded, Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed informed Parliament on Tuesday.
Responding to a motion moved under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure in the Jatiya Sangsad, the Home Minister briefed the legislature on the ongoing legal developments. The session follows a unanimous resolution adopted during a previous session of the Thirteenth National Parliament demanding Benazir's repatriation to face trial on home soil.
The Home Minister stated that Benazir's case is highly sensitive and directly tied to public interest, noting that UAE authorities have formally notified Bangladesh that although the former police chief has been released on bail, travel restrictions remain in place, preventing his departure prior to the resolution of the extradition framework.
Detailing the procedural timeline, Salauddin Ahmed explained that following a warrant issued by a Bangladeshi court, the investigating agency applied through proper channels for an Interpol Red Notice, which was officially published on April 11 of last year after verification of required documentation. Subsequently, on June 12, 2026, the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abu Dhabi formally informed Bangladesh of Benazir's arrest and urged the submission of a formal extradition request via diplomatic channels within 30 days. The Bangladeshi government acted expeditiously, dispatching the complete extradition dossier within just four days, followed by supplementary evidentiary documents requested by the UAE authorities.
Addressing concerns over his bail granted by a Dubai court, the minister clarified that securing bail does not signify the termination of extradition proceedings. Extradition is not an automatic process and remains contingent upon the judicial and sovereign legal mechanisms of the host nation, where local courts and central authorities meticulously examine the nature of the offense, warrants, and all submitted evidence.
Salauddin Ahmed emphasized that Bangladesh has submitted all documentation on schedule, retained local legal counsel, and maintained active coordination, dismissing any perception of governmental failure or inaction. He affirmed that every possible diplomatic, legal, and police measure is being pursued to bring Benazir back to face justice while respecting the sovereign legal processes of the UAE.
Furthermore, the Home Minister updated Parliament regarding a separate corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against Benazir over passport forgery. He stated that several senior officials of the Department of Immigration and Passports have been implicated, with the investigation actively underway, and warned that strict legal action will be taken against all responsible parties based on findings.
He added that Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLAR) have been transmitted to relevant foreign jurisdictions to trace, freeze, and confiscate illegal overseas assets amassed by Benazir and his family members, assuring that legal recovery procedures under international legal frameworks will commence as soon as requisite evidentiary records are secured.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/national/1f1dd264-d44d-6b50-a56b-9d2ab609fd92