Chattogram: The Chattogram Customs House authorities have initiated an online auction for 44 vehicles, including 24 luxury cars that were imported by former members of parliament (MPs) from the ousted Awami League (AL) government under duty-free privileges. The auction commenced today and will remain accessible to bidders until 2:00 pm on February 16, with the proceeds from the sale of these high-CC vehicles set to be transferred to the government treasury.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bijon Kumar Talukder, Revenue Officer of Chattogram Customs, announced that interested parties can now access the auction catalogue on the e-auction website. The tender box will be opened on February 17, and prospective bidders can inspect the vehicles on-site from February 2 to 4.
The Chattogram Customs House revealed that among the 44 vehicles up for auction, 24 are brand new Land Cruisers, which were imported by former Awami League MPs using duty-free facilities. Despite two notifications, the former MPs have not cleared these imported vehicles. The auction also includes 10 dump trucks, five Harriers, two RAV4s, a Square, and two additional Land Cruisers.
Md Shakib Hossain, Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram Customs, stated that 24 out of the 31 vehicles imported by former MPs under duty-free privileges have been included in the auction. The remaining seven vehicles are still undergoing necessary procedures and will be auctioned once the process is completed.
The auctioned vehicles belong to several former MPs, including former State Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Muhammad Saiful Islam, Muhammad Shahjahan Omar, Sourendra Nath Chakraborty, Anupam Shahjahan Joy, Sajjadul Hasan, Saddam Hossain (Pavel), Naser Shahriar Zahedi, Abul Kalam Azad, Abdul Motaleb, Mohammad Abdul Wahed, Touhiduzzaman, Shah Sarwar Kabir, S.A.K. Ekramuzzaman, S.M. Al Mamun, S.M. Kamal Hossain, Mujibur Rahman, Asaduzzaman, and Akhtaruzzaman.