Taposh: Sayeed Khokon's allegations based on personal outrage

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Sunday said predecessor Sayeed Khokon was bringing up corruption allegations due to personal resentment.

“I don’t want to comment on [Sayeed Khokon’s] personal resentment, as he has been acting like a crazy person, so far,” Taposh said during the inaugural registration of non-motorized vehicles at Nagarbhaban. 

He later briefed reporters on the same issue at Dhanmondi-32.

On Saturday, former DSCC mayor Sayeed Khokon alleged that Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh had lost eligibility for the post of mayor due to corruption allegations.

According to Khokon, Taposh has transferred hundreds of crores of taka from the funds of DSCC to his own bank - Modhumoti Bank Limited.

“Taposh is involved in corruption by violating the City Corporation Act 2009,” Khokon claimed, adding that Taposh should stop his own corruption before looking into the corruption of other DSCC officials.

Regarding the bank transfer allegation, Taposh said: “All private banks in the country follow the policy of Bangladesh Bank to collect deposits from public or private agencies and organizations. Madhomati Bank collects deposits as per the policy, like other banks.

“Collecting deposits from various government agencies or organizations is not illegal,” he added.

On December 8, the DSCC started an eviction drive against illegal shops after it identified nearly 3,500 shops in 21 markets that were extended or built illegally and allocated to traders during the tenure of Sayeed Khokon.

Mobile courts have already demolished several hundred shops at Sundarbans Market and Phulbaria Supermarket.

On Sunday, Mayor Taposh said: “We will continue the ongoing eviction drive against illegal shops in the city corporation markets. No one can obstruct the drive.”

Shop owners and employees have protested the eviction drive.