A court in Dhaka has issued a travel ban against Mohammad Azaz, the administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), in response to corruption allegations. The order was made by Judge Md Sabbir Faiz of the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court, upon a request by Anti-Corruption Commission Assistant Director Md Ashiqur Rahman, who is overseeing the investigation, as confirmed by court bench assistant Riaz Hossain.
ACC Public Prosecutor Samsuddin Mohammed Abul Kalam presented the petition on behalf of the anti-graft agency. The ACC’s petition states that Azaz is being investigated for misuse of authority, irregularities, corruption, and bribery in various DNCC-related issues.
The allegations mentioned in the ACC petition involve improprieties in the leasing of the Mirpur-Gabtoli cattle market, the e-rickshaw project, and the acquisition of Borak Tower or Hotel Sheraton. Additionally, they pertain to the assignment of shops at Banani kitchen market, the construction and allocation of shops in the parking area of Khilgaon Taltola Super Market, the city corporation’s van service, and the allocation of shops on sidewalks, among other matters related to the corporation’s affairs.
The ACC reported that Azaz was requested to attend a hearing and provide his statement, but he did not comply. Concerns were raised about Azaz potentially leaving the country and evading investigation abroad, prompting the ACC to seek the travel ban to ensure a thorough inquiry into the allegations.
The ACC initiated a preliminary investigation into the accusations on November 27 of the previous year. Azaz assumed the role of DNCC administrator for a one-year tenure appointed by the interim government on February 12, with Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain overseeing local government affairs at the time.
