The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation has uncovered 621 bighas of land registered in the names of former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, his wife, and their three daughters.
Of this, 598 bighas are located in Gopalganj Sadar and Madaripur Rajoir upazilas, two neighbouring upazilas, where the land owned by Benazir’s family spans the border. These villages are predominantly populated by Hindu families.
The ex-IGP has developed a resort called Savanna Eco Resort and Natural Park on this land, featuring various attractions such as farms, boat trips, a children’s play area, and a helipad.
Visitors can enter the resort for Tk100. Located in Bairagirtola, a remote village in Sahapur union of Gopalganj Sadar, the resort’s construction and land acquisition have been marred by allegations of intimidation and coercion.
Residents claim that Benazir Ahmed acquired these lands through fear and manipulation, even constructing gates by occupying government roads and enclosing villagers’ lands within the resort’s boundary wall, preventing them from accessing their property.
Following an ACC investigation, the court ordered the seizure of the property, leading to the removal of goods from the park. Villagers are now demanding the return of their land.
Benazir Ahmed, during his tenure as IGP from April 2020 to September 2022, initiated the construction of the resort. He had previously acquired the land from January 2015 to April 2020 while serving as director general of the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Some police and RAB members supervised the park’s construction, locals claimed.
Coercion, intimidation
Victims allege that the park was built by intimidating and forcibly purchasing land from the local Hindu community. Those who refused to sell were coerced, with sand dumped on their land to force a sale. One family reportedly left the country under threats, and others live in constant fear.
The main gate of the park occupies 250 meters of a road built by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), restricting villagers' access to their 50 bighas of land adjacent to the park. As a result, they face difficulties in harvesting crops and collecting fish from their enclosures and ponds.
Local residents who spoke to the media were allegedly attacked by police at the behest of the park authorities on Saturday, resulting in injuries to several individuals, including Biplab Bol, Sanjay Bol, and Sagar Bol. Following this, the police were deployed to secure the park.
The resort was subsequently closed from Monday, with the park’s booking manager, Sabbir, citing server issues as the reason for the closure.
Sabbir said the park would reopen in 4-5 days if the server issue is resolved.
Md Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gopalganj Sadar police station, said: “The police in that area did not inform me of any untoward incidents in the park. However, police have been deployed in the park,”
Earlier, Sukh Deb Bol, a 19-year-old student, died from electrocution while working on the resort’s agricultural farm in April 2020. His father, Sushen Bol, faced obstacles in seeking legal action over his son’s death.
It is also alleged that when the court ordered the property to be confiscated, goods were removed from the park using several trucks, including cows from a bank-financed farm.
What victims say
Victim testimonies reveal a pattern of coercion and intimidation.
Victim Biplab Bol recounted that Benazir Ahmed initiated the park's development around 2018.
During his tenure as director general of RAB, his subordinates displayed aggressive behavior, employing various intimidating tactics to acquire land. "They relentlessly pursued me for my land," he said.
"Despite my firm refusal, they resorted to cutting down approximately 300 trees on my property at different times. Despite my protests, they forcibly dumped sand on my 30 bigha land and seized it," Biplab Bol added.
Ashutosh Bol, echoing Biplab's statement, said: "My land lies within the park's boundary. Accessing it requires using a road constructed by LGED. However, the park's gate now occupies this road, blocking our passage. Consequently, we are unable to reach our land without encountering threats and intimidation."
Shankar Bol shared a similar tale, saying: "I am unable to access my land due to government roads being occupied by the park. Furthermore, a portion of my land has been fenced off, rendering it inaccessible for farming. Fearing reprisal, I have refrained from lodging a complaint. Regrettably, I am now deprived of my rightful ownership and access to my land."
Another victim, Lipon Bagchi said: "The LGED road has been seized by the park authorities, making it impossible for me to reach my land. Additionally, the construction of the park's gate obstructs any attempt to access my property. I am now required to pay a fee of Tk100 simply to access my own land."
Badal Bol, a nearby tea shopkeeper, shared the distressing experience of his brother Prashant Bol, saying: "Benazir Ahmed sought to purchase land from my brother for parking purposes. Despite my brother's refusal to sell, sand was forcibly dumped on his land. I am uncertain whether he eventually succumbed to their pressure, but my brother abruptly fled to India with his family, urging me to do the same."
Victim Sanjay Bol provided insights into Benazir Ahmed's persistent presence, revealing: "Benazir Ahmed made numerous visits to the park post-construction, often accompanied by deployed police forces. His most recent visit occurred two months ago. Subsequent to a court order for property confiscation, several trucks were mobilized to remove goods from the park, including cows obtained through bank loans."
What authorities say
Local authorities have acknowledged the situation but have yet to take concrete action.
Gopalganj Sadar police OC Md Anisur Rahman said the resort was built on low-lying land. Clearance from the environment department is needed to build the resort.
Mahfuzur Rahman, assistant director of the Gopalganj district office of the Department of Environment, said that the resort did not have the required environmental clearances. “A location clearance for the resort was taken for a year. It expired in September 2023. Another clearance was taken to set up an agricultural farm on eight acres of land. It also expired in June 2023.”
SM Zahidul Islam, LGED engineer at Gopalganj Sadar upazila, said that the LGED does not construct roads for any individual. “By occupying government roads and constructing gates, restrictions are being imposed on public movement. If a complaint is received, the matter will be investigated, and if the claims are proven, the road will be cleared,”
Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mahbubul Alam said that no complaints of road encroachment have been received. However, the court has ordered the property to be seized.
“If a complaint is lodged, it will be brought to the court's attention, and if an order is issued, the road will be cleared of encroachment and opened for public use,” he said.
It should be noted that Benazir Ahmed did not obtain permission from the government to purchase land or start a business while he was in government service.