Two landlords’ dumps students’ certificates for due rent in the capital

Two landlords in the capital's Kalabagan area allegedly broke locks of the tenants rooms and dumped all their belongings including books, registration papers and education certificates of 138 students' in the capital's Kalabagan for due rent.

Two cases have been filed in this regard at Kalabagan police station. A caretaker of one house has been arrested.

Abul Hasan, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) New Market zone confirmed this matter to The Business Standard.

Mujibul Haque, a landlord in Kalabagan, broke three of his tenant's rooms. The other landlord owned a student's hostel, his identity could not be known.

Sazib Mia, one of the victims and the plaintiff of one case told The Business Standard that eight students left their rooms and went to their village homes on March 20 as their educational institutions were closed due to the Coronavirus situation.

"We could not come back because of the situation across the country. The landlord called us last month for the due rent of three months. We had sent him TK40,000 with a little bit extra money in addition for the electricity and gas bills," Sazib said.

"We owed the landlord only TK35,000 more. He broke into our room and threw away all the goods including the education certificates for this money," Sazib Mia broke in tears.

Abul Hasan, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) said, "Mujibul Haque fled after the incident. He is a former senior official of a bank. Attempts are being made to arrest both the landlords."

"The dropped students' education certificates and belongings could not be found," Abul Hasan added.

Upon receiving the news of the landlord dumping their belongings, five or six students came to Dhaka on 29 June. But the landlord did not let them in. Later they brought the police but the house owner did not even allow the police to enter.

Later, Sazib Mia filed a theft case against the house owner at Kalabagan police station.

Sazib Mia said, "The homeowner ruined our education, life and dreams. We do not know if we can recover the valuable documents. We hope the landlord faces legal trial and exemplary punishment,"