DHAKA: Negligence, irregularities and corrupt practices by officials and employees under the Land Ministry have been blamed for the grabbing of land-property worth over Tk 100 crore only in a single instance in the capital.

Now the Land Ministry has taken a decision to reclaim the public property from the grabs, official sources said.

The total area of the land has been stated 40 decimals originally owned by Bhawal Raj estate located in Ramna Mouja’s Topkhana Road-Paltan crossing area.

Land Minister Md Rezaul Karim Hira told banglanews24.com.bd that the government is the owner of the land and it will recover the land.

“We had a meeting on this land which is worth Tk 100 crore as per the present market price," he said.

“Grabbers would be identified, as also the corrupt for their connivance,” said the Minister.   

While talking to banglanews24.com.bd, Land Secretary Ataharul Islam said some people were enjoying the possession of the land by providing misinformation to the court.

Successors of one late Mahmudullah are holding the land in their possession.

A spot visit revealed that the front part of the land was vacant. There were various commercial institutions on the backside and there were two Ansar camps.

A signboard read ‘That’s Sports` while the other signboard read `Syed Md Monir Ullah on behalf of Muniria Jubo Tableague Committee Bangladesh is the owner of the land’.

Land Reform Board member and additional secretary Md Ajmal Hossain said the signboards raised on the land are “fake”.

He said the government had appointed five lawyers since 1995 but no progress could be made in reclaiming the land.

Manager of Bhawal Raj Estate and former additional secretary Abdur Rauf told banglanews24.com.bd that the tenants said they took the land with permission.

Late Md Wali Ullah had filed a case with Dhaka Sub-Judge Court claiming the ownership of the government `Khas` land. The court issued interim injunctions following the case, but the Land Ministry did not take any effective initiative even after the lapse of 15 years.

Hasan Shahid Babu and Shirin Akter Baby, son and daughter of Wali Ullah, have been enjoying the possession of the land as per inheritance and also fighting the case in the court.

BDST: 1122 HRS, JULY 20, 2010