Taposh has lost his eligibility to remain mayor: Sayeed Khokon

Sayeed Khokon has said that his successor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has lost his eligibility to continue on as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

Taposh declined to comment on the allegation.

Former DSCC mayor Khokon stated his opinion while participating in a human chain – organised in Kadam Fawara area near the High Court on Saturday afternoon – to press home the demand for rehabilitating shopkeepers evicted in a recent drive by the city corporation.

"Taposh has transferred hundreds of crores of taka from the South City Corporation to his own Modhumoti Bank, and is receiving crores of taka in profit by investing hundreds of crores of taka in various individuals and institutions," he added.

"On the other hand, due to a lack of money, the poor employees of the city corporation have not been getting their salaries for months. Many development projects have been halted due to a lack of funds," he said.

The former mayor alleged that through such activities, Taposh has lost his eligibility for the mayoral post as per Section 9 (2) (h) of the second chapter of the City Corporation Act, 2009.

He said, "Taposh has been vocal against corruption since taking the office of mayor. I will tell him, 'If you want a corruption-free administration, make yourself free of corruption first and then look at your subordinates.'"

Khokon further said that the eviction drive carried out by the city corporation at Fulbaria Market was completely illegal.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Abu Naser told The Business Standard that the mayor is unwilling to comment on the allegations.

"He [the mayor] has no comment on this. Later, we will brief [the media] on all the issues raised," he added.

Meanwhile on 29 December, Delwar Hossain, president of Traders-Owners Association of Fulbaria City Supermarket 2 in the capital's Gulistan, filed a case with the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court against seven people – including Sayeed Khokon – for embezzling Tk34.89 crore from the allocation of unplanned shops at the market.

The others accused in the case are: former chief revenue officer Md Yusuf Ali Sardar and former deputy assistant engineer Majed of the DSCC, Kamrul Hasan, Helena Akhter, Atiqur Rahman Swapan, and Walid.

Later, the court directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to look into the case.