PBI to probe embezzlement case against ex-mayor Khokon

A Dhaka court has directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to look into the case filed against seven people, including former Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon, for embezzling Tk34.89 crore from the allocation of unplanned shops at Fulbaria Super Market-2 in the capital.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ashek Imam came up with the directive on Wednesday and asked to submit the report on this by 31 January next.

Earlier on Tuesday (December 29), the market president Delwar Hossain filed the case with the Dhaka metropolitan magistrate court.

The court accepted the plaintiff's statement and fixed Wednesday for the order, said court presenter Mizanur Rahman.

The other accused in the case are the former chief revenue officer of Dhaka South City Corporation Md Yusuf Ali Sardar, its former deputy assistant engineer Majed, one Kamrul Hasan, Helena Akhter, Atiqur Rahman Swapan and Walid.

Plaintiff Delwar's counsel Nahid Islam Chowdhury told reporters that the case was filed against seven people including the former for embezzling money through allocating unplanned shops. A total of 27 people have been made witnesses in the case.

Delwar Hossain applied to the Dhaka court last Tuesday to take up the case. The court recorded the statement of the petitioner on that day and ruled on the case on Wednesday.

In the case, Delwar claimed that the other accused, including the former mayor, conspired to set up an unplanned facility at Fulbaria Super Market-2 and made the allotment of shops.

Through this, the accused have swindled small traders out of a huge sum.

After taking the charge as the mayor of DSCC, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh sacked Yusuf Ali Sardar from the post of chief revenue officer of the city corporation on account of myriad allegations against him. Later, deputy assistant engineer Majed was also suspended for irregularities.

The DSCC has been conducting a drive at Fulbaria Super Market-2 since December 8 to evict unplanned shops. On the first day of the raid, shopkeepers hurled brick chips at police and the city corporation officials.

According to the city corporation, there were 2,282 shops in the market as per the design.

Sources said in the last few years, 911 unplanned shops have been set up there.

However, some officials of the corporation said the number of unplanned shops in the market will be around one thousand and a half.

Eviction drive not against any particular person: DSCC Mayor

After the case was filed in the court on Tuesday, Sayeed Khokon told reporters, "Everyone is saying that the incumbent Mayor Sheikh Fazle Nur Taposh is doing all the dirty work through Delwar Hossain, alias Delu." By doing so, his (Taposh) image as well as the image of the Awami League is being tarnished."

But on Wednesday, speaking at an event Mayor Taposh said, "I want to make it very clear that our eviction drive is not against any particular person."

"If any person is humiliated and ashamed of our eviction drive, it is up to him. Dhaka South City Corporation has nothing to do with this."

The DSCC mayor said this while inaugurating the Interim Waste Transfer Centre at Basabo Balur field in Ward No. 4 under the city corporation on Wednesday.