Chittagong Bureau

 

Bangladesh CNG Auto-Rickshaw Light Vehicle Transport Workers Federation Chittagong Metropolitan Branch General Secretary Md. Zahir Uddin has written to the chairman demanding the removal of Deputy Director (DD) Engineer Touhidul Hossain, the controversial Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Circle (1) Halishahar office in Chittagong, on charges of irregularities and corruption. A copy of the same letter has also been given to the ACC chairman and the secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department.

 

The written petition states that serious allegations have been raised against Chittagong BRTA Chatta Metro Circle-1 (Halishahar Office) Deputy Director Engineer Touhidul Hossain regarding irregularities, financial transactions and abuse of power in various activities including vehicle replacement, registration, change of ownership, forgery of import-related files, approval of sleeper buses. A written complaint was filed with multiple departments concerned on August 31. A worrying situation has already arisen around the complainant Zahir Uddin. He is being pressured, intimidated and influenced by his favorite terrorist in various ways to withdraw the complaint. If an attempt is made to force a complainant to withdraw the complaint through intimidation or pressure, then it is not only a matter of the safety of the complainant; but also a very important matter for an independent and impartial investigation environment. Therefore, it has been requested to ensure the safety of the complainant Zahir Uddin and verify through the necessary legal process whether any kind of pressure or influence is being exerted on him. In order to ensure a fair, impartial and free investigation of the complaint, it is considered very important to temporarily attach/transfer Engineer Touhidul Hossain from Chittagong to another place during the investigation. The reason given is that a large part of the complaint is related to the activities, documents and records of the Chittagong BRTA. If the concerned officer performs duties at the same workplace during the investigation, there may be a risk of direct or indirect impact on the documents, digital records, officers and employees, complainants or potential witnesses. The incident of fire that occurred at the Chittagong BRTA divisional office in 2021 is also particularly noteworthy in this regard. Due to that incident, concerns were raised about the security and preservation of important government documents and records. In the context of such incidents in the past, it is also considered very important to ensure the security of old replacements, scrapings, registrations, ownership changes and other important documents and digital records that may be under investigation at present.

 

The complaint states that the complaint filed with the BRTA Chairman's office on August 31 should be properly investigated. In the interest of impartial investigation, Engineer Touhidul Hossain should be temporarily transferred/attached from his Chittagong duty during the investigation period, if there is any attempt to intimidate, pressure or force the complainant Zahir Uddin to withdraw the complaint, it should be investigated and necessary measures should be taken to ensure his safety, whether any political or administrative influence is being exerted on the witnesses and concerned persons should be verified through the necessary legal process, and the documents, files, digital records, CCTV footage and other government information related to the complaint should be safely stored until the investigation is completed.

 

Confirming the allegations, Bangladesh CNG Auto Rickshaw Light Vehicle Transport Workers Federation Chittagong Metropolitan Branch General Secretary Md. Zahir Uddin said, "There are allegations of massive irregularities against Touhidul Hossain, Deputy Director (DD) of BRTA Chittagong Halishahar office. And the money earned through these irregularities is being used for anti-government activities through some Awami League leaders.