Court Correspondent

The High Court has ordered authorities concerned to investigate a report of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) giving its 7,580 square feet staff canteen at its Uttara Depot for only Tk 1,000 per month.

A High Court division bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah passed the order after hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard on Thursday (March 21).

The court in its order asked the Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary to investigate into the matter and submit a report within one month. It also issued a rule, asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why the court shall not declare the decision of renting out that huge canteen space on such a cheap rate, as illegal and without lawful authority.

A notice issued by DMTCL on March 14 last, states about giving the space on rent. Signed by its general manager (Operation and Procurement) Md Nazrul Islam, the notice said the DMTCL is giving the space on rent for Tk 12,000 per year to contractor firm Khandaker Enterprise as its tender was considered acceptable. In the notice, Khandaker Enterprise was asked to conclude a contract for three years and deposit Tk 3 lakh within March 28 next as 'caution money' within seven days.

Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tanvir Ahmed filed the writ challenging the decision of the DMTCL. Advocate Ahmed moved the plea before court himself while assistant attorney general Selim Azad stood for the state.

arrister Tanvir Ahmed said an area of over 7,500sft is like a small stadium. It can easily be presumed how much the rent of such a large space at any area in the Dhaka city should be. But, the monthly rent here has been fixed at Tk 1,000 only which is "very unusual and inconsistent. The High Court has directed investigation into the matter. Now, it would come out through investigation whether there was any irregularity, or problem."