The High Court instructed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday to furnish a progress report within two months regarding the investigation into the alleged illicit wealth of former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family.

In a suo moto directive, the HC bench comprising Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ebadoth Hossain issued the order.

Advocate Sarwar Hossain and Barrister Manoj Kumar Bhowmick represented the petitioner, while Senior Advocate Shah Monjurul Hoque and Syed Ahmed Raza stood for Benazir. Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan and Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin represented the ACC and the state, respectively.

The bench emphasized the need for a wealth statement law similar to India's for government employees in Bangladesh. Such legislation, akin to India's practice where employees must declare their assets upon joining and leaving their posts, could mitigate the need for surveillance over their properties, the HC bench remarked. It suggested that any significant deviation in assets could trigger actions, aligning with Bangabandhu's vision of a prosperous Bangladesh.

Previously, the ACC had formed a committee to probe the alleged corruption involving Benazir Ahmed and his family, as revealed by ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yeasmin during a briefing at the commission's headquarters on Monday.

Concurrently, a writ petition was filed with the High Court, urging an investigation into the accusations against the former IGP and his family. Supreme Court lawyer Salauddin Regan lodged the petition, seeking clarification on the ACC's handling of the inquiry.

The petition also sought a rule to clarify the legality of ACC's purported inefficiency in scrutinizing Benazir's wealth.

Respondents to the writ petition included the ACC Chairman, ACC Commissioners, and the ACC Secretary.

The allegations surfaced following a report published in a local newspaper titled "Aladiner Cherag at the House of Benazir" on March 31. Subsequently, Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon MP petitioned the ACC, urging legal action against Benazir.