A recent exposé by a pro-government publication has shed a light on the lavish lifestyle and alleged corruption of former Inspector General Benazir Ahmed. While the accusations are undoubtedly serious, the timing and source raise a lot of questions.

For years, whispers of Benazir's misdeeds have circulated amongst the populace. The public was not entirely oblivious to his excesses. Now, a news outlet with its own checkered past throws open the doors on these alleged transgressions. This sudden revelation certainly compels us to question the motives behind.

This is because, the convenient timing of these accusations, amidst reported business conflicts and internal divisions within the media outlet, casts a shadow on the true purpose of this exposé, at least to some extent. We are intelligent enough to understand that such revelations often emerge from power struggles rather than a genuine commitment to transparency.

The reports in questions were published Sunday by Kaler Kantha–one of the leading vernacular dailies. Coupled with commentary from Transparency International Bangladesh's head, Iftekhar Ahmed, this appears to be a bold stance against alleged corruption. However, a closer look probably reveals a tangled web of power struggles and business rivalries.

Protidiner Bangladesh, another Dhaka publication, has simultaneously launched attacks on Kaler Kantho's owner, the Bashundhara Group. This tit-for-tat between major industrial giants, all beneficiaries of past government favor, definitely hints at a deeper conflict at play but Benazir Ahmed's sudden appearance in this crossfire surely adds another layer of intrigue. 

As a former government official, his unexplained wealth is a legitimate concern. Whispers of his questionable fortune have long circulated, but the source remains shrouded in secrecy. The reported assets definitely raise eyebrows, but the online chatter speculates of even more hidden assets, both domestic and international.

Now, the public surely deserves answers: How did a government official amass such wealth? Was it through legitimate means or through exploitation of his position? The media has the responsibility to investigate these questions, but the current mudslinging between business rivals clouds the issue. We need a transparent investigation, not a media war fueled by competing oligarchs.

In Bangladesh, the main problem is that many injustices remain shrouded in silence as most media houses are beneficiaries of power and different corporate houses.  So,it is very natural to ponder what emboldened Kaler Kantho to seemingly defy the norm with this explosive story?

The answer may lie not in newfound bravery, but in a shift in the power dynamics. Benazir Ahmed stands accused of human rights violations on a colossal scale. Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, a police force transformed into a "monstrous force" – these are chilling allegations that have long been discussed, yet rarely challenged. 

Let's be clear: taking down a figure like Benazir Ahmed is akin to taking a shot at the government he served. His rise wouldn't have been possible without a certain degree of official sanction.  Therefore, this exposé carries more weight than a simple corruption case.

Social media is abuzz with theories, and rightfully so. A Dhaka journalist's cryptic comment – "No religion worships the setting sun" –  probably gives a good context.  Could it be that Benazir Ahmed is simply out of favor with the Awami League government?  Perhaps distancing themselves from him, even prosecuting him for past human rights violations, might be politically expedient for the party. Appearing to uphold justice on the world stage could be a strategic maneuver.  Dramatic shifts in political alliances are nothing new, after all.

These are, of course, speculative musings. The future will reveal the truth.  However, one thing is certain: if Bangladesh progresses towards a stronger democracy, where the public holds true power, a day of reckoning for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings –  involving both the Awami League and individuals like Benazir Ahmed –  may very well come.  And when that day arrives, the current media reports will stand as crucial pieces of evidence in the pursuit of justice.

Whether accountability arrives in five, ten, or twenty years, the wheels of justice may yet turn.  The Kaler Kantho exposé, a potential harbinger of change, serves as a reminder that even the setting sun may someday face scrutiny.