Moudud evicted from posh house
Khaleda deplores move
STAFF REPORTER
Rajdhahi Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) yesterday evicted BNP leader Moudud Ahmed from his Gulshan house and took over its possession in accordance with a court order.
We launched the eviction drive around 11am. We have already taken over the house, Rajuks executive magistrate Khandaker Waliur Rahman told reporters in the afternoon.
He said gas, water and electricity connections to the house were disconnected before the eviction drive. Valuables and furniture in the house were removed later on.
A large police force wasdeployed around the house during the drive to avert any unpleasant incident.
Terming the eviction drive as unlawful, Moudud said it was conducted without any prior notice.
I have been evicted from my house unlawfully as I am involved with the opposition party. As per the law, Rajuk should give notice before carrying out any eviction drive against anyone. But they didnt follow the law, he told reporters gathered outside the house.
I will seek justice against the injustice done to me, he said.
The former law minister had reached the house around 3.10pm after getting news of the eviction drive. He went in for some time and came out of the house at 4.45pm.
The eviction drive followed a Supreme Court order to Rajuk to mutate the 1.13 bigha land on Road-79 at Gulshan-2 where Moudud Ahmed had been residing since 1981.
On Sunday, the apex courts Appellate Division had dismissed two petitions filed by the BNP leader seeking a review of its earlier verdict scrapping his possession of the property.
Asked about his next move, the BNP standing committee member said, There is no way to go to the court at this moment. I had filed a civil suit (Case No. 561) seeking an order not to carry out eviction drive. The court had also issued summons to Rajuk in this regard, but still the drive was carried out. Now, what I can do?
Pointing at the Rajuk officials present at the spot, Moudud said the drive proved that there was no rule of law in the country.
The court did not say to evict us from the house. The Rajuk also did not serve us any notice. But see how my belongings were taken away. This is the highest example of political revenge. This would not have happened if the case involved a ruling party leader, he said.
Now, I have no alternative but to lie on the street, he added.
On the other hand, the Rajuk magistrate told reporters that they would not confiscate the valuables of the house, but rather hand them over to the owners.
Meanwhile, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia
along with senior party leaders, including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Lt Gen. (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, went to Moududs house around 8pm. Khaleda stayed in front of the house for around 10 minutes and enquired about the eviction drive. Moudud briefed her about the latest situation, saying the drive was illegally conducted.
Criticising the drive, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, I have no language to condemn the way a former vice- president, a former premier and senior politician was evicted.
UNB adds: Meanwhile, criticising the government for evicting her party leader Moudud Ahmed from his Gulshan residence, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said people will one day evict ruling party men from their houses the same way.
Moudud Ahmed was driven out to the street from the house he had been residing for over 30 years. I was also removed with one cloth from the house I had lived for 40 years, she said.
Speaking at an iftar party she further said, People have seen how they (AL men) grabbed houses. So, people will one day evict them from their houses with one cloth. Theyre thinking theyll stay fine, but people wont let it happen.
Association of Engineers, Bangladesh arranged the party at Bashundhara International Convention Centre.
Earlier in the day, Rajdhahi Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) yesterday took over BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmeds Gulshan house following a court order.
On Sunday, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court dismissed two petitionsfiled seeking a review against the SC verdictthat scrapped Moududs possession ofa house at holding No 159 in Gulshan-2 areaof the capital.
Khaleda said her party men are now helpless as they do not get justice from the court though they are being oppressed and harassed.
She said the lower court now acts as per the governments direction. The lower court is now completely under government control.
The BNP chief said Awami League has been in power by force using police and different government agencies.
She said though the countrys people havebeen passing through a critical time forthe soaring prices of essentials and lack ofjobs, the government has no attention to mitigate their sufferings.
About the proposed budget for fiscal 2017-18, Khaleda said the ruling party men will be benefited by the budget while the common people will be badly affected.
Claiming that the countrys people want a change in power, she said the next election must be held under a non-party administration to establish a pro-people government.
The election must not be held under Hasina. All political parties will not join the election if it is held under her. The Election Commission wont be able to work neutrally under her. Thats why it is necessary to arrange the election ousting Hasina, the BNP chief said.
Khaleda also urged the Election Commission to work neutrally for holding a fair election as per peoples hopes and aspirations.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Mosharraf Hossain, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, vice chairmen Selima Rahman, advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossian, Ahmed Azam Khan, Prof Abdul Mannan and Dr AZM Zahid, among others, attended the programme.
