PBI to probe case against ex-mayor Khokon, 6 others

A Dhaka court has directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to investigate the case filed against former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sayeed Khokon and six others on charges of embezzlement of Tk 34.89 crore.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ashek Imam passed the order yesterday, Atiqur Rahman, bench assistant of the court, told The Daily Star.

The magistrate also asked PBI to submit a probe report in the case before the court by January 31 next year, Atiqur said.

Delwar Hossain, president of Traders-Owners Association of Fulbaria City Supermarket-2 in the capital's Gulistan, filed the case with the same court on December 29.

The magistrate took the case into cognisance and recorded statement of the complainant that day.

Yusuf Ali Sardar, former chief revenue officer of the city corporation; Md Mazed, its former deputy assistant engineer; and their assistants Kamrul Hasan, Helena Akter, Atiqur Rahman Swapan and Md Walid were also made accused in the case.

According to the case document, Khokon and six others colluded to build and allot shops, violating the main design of Fulbaria City Supermarket-2.

Contacted, Sayeed Khokon told The Daily Star, "I will not comment on the case now, as it is under investigation. I will present my statement before the court after investigation."

Some 2,300 shops were constructed at the Fulbaria Supermarket-2 following the main design. But 911 others were built illegally at different times.

DSCC on December 8 started a drive to demolish all 911 illegal shops.