Govt sacks DNCC’s Azaz
News Desk :
The interim government has sacked Mohammad Azaz from his post as administrator of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and appointed an additional secretary as his replacement amid an ongoing corruption inquiry.
The decision was made on Monday through an order issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, which also appointed Local Government Division Additional Secretary Surayya Akhtar Jahan as his replacement.
The ministry said she will serve as DNCC administrator until further notice, exercising mayoral powers alongside her current role and receiving a duty allowance as per regulations, reports bdnews24.com.
Ministry officials said Azaz’s tenure was due to expire naturally a day later, and instead of extending it, an additional secretary was appointed to take over his responsibilities.
After the fall of the Awami League government during the July 2024 Uprising, mayors of 12 city corporations, including Dhaka North, were removed on Aug 19 that year and administrators were appointed on the same day.
Initially, Mahmudul Hasan, director general of the planning, monitoring, evaluation and inspection wing of the Local Government Division, was installed in the role.
Azaz, the chairman of the River and Delta Research Centre, eventually took up the mantle on Feb 12, 2025.
His brief stint, however, was quickly marred by accusations of power abuse, systemic irregularities, and bribery.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) eventually launched an inquiry into his conduct and summoned him for questioning.
After he failed to appear, a Dhaka court imposed a travel ban on Feb 1 to prevent him from leaving the country.
The commission has received a range of specific complaints against him. These include irregularities surrounding the lease of the Mirpur Gabtoli cattle market, the E-rickshaw project, and stakes in Borak Tower or Sheraton Dhaka.
The investigation also covers the allocation of shops at the Banani kitchen market and the construction of shops in the parking area of the Khilgaon Taltola Super Market.