Agamir Somoy reported
Government Launches Investigation Into 123 Occupied Houses
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The government has formed an eight-member committee to investigate allegations that 123 state-owned houses built on nearly 50 bighas of land across different areas of the capital are under the control of influential individuals.
An additional secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works has been appointed to lead the committee. The panel has been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report to the Housing and Public Works Secretary.
The initiative comes in response to an Agamir Somoy report published on June 5 under the headline “123 Government Houses Under Occupation.”
The committee includes the additional divisional commissioner of Dhaka, the supervising engineer of the Public Works Maintenance Circle under the Public Works Department, the deputy secretary (law) of the Housing and Public Works Ministry, one representative each from the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) and the National Housing Authority, and the additional director general of the Government Housing Directorate.
The ministry's joint secretary for abandoned property management will serve as member secretary of the committee.
The Agamir Somoy report stated that the government-owned houses are located in key areas of Dhaka, including Dhanmondi, New Eskaton, Gulshan, Elephant Road, Motijheel, Paltan, Moghbazar, Kakrail, Mohammadpur and Mirpur.
According to the report, the properties, worth several billion taka, have remained under illegal occupation for years. Some occupants allegedly secured control of the properties through connections with individuals linked to previous governments, while others maintained possession through prolonged legal battles.
The report further noted that although the properties have been identified, effective control remains outside government hands. Illegal occupants continue to manage and use the properties.
It also alleged that the Abandoned Property Management Board (APMB), the agency responsible for overseeing such assets, has failed to take effective action. While the issue is occasionally discussed at board meetings, properties under illegal occupation have not received significant attention. Instead, discussions have largely focused on properties already under government control.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Public Works Maintenance Division has reportedly sent multiple letters and reminders over the years seeking eviction drives against illegal occupants. However, those requests were not acted upon.
According to the report, pressure from influential quarters contributed to the inaction of the authorities concerned.
