Pay Tk 7 lakh or live without gas

A consumer was allegedly forced to pay Tk 1.7 lakh to a team of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) in Chattogram city.

The victim Rajlu Khan said the officials, alleging that an illegal gas connection was being used in his building at Akbar Shah area of the port city, threatened to cut his gas connection permanently if he didn't pay them.

On June 8, the KGDCL team led by its Assistant Manager Sarwar Uddin showed up at his home and demanded Tk 7 lakh as a fine, he told this newspaper.

They immediately seized the gas riser and cut the connection, he added.

Rajlu said, despite knowing the allegation was false, he requested them to meet him at his office at Barik Building Moor to avoid any untoward situation at his home.

"Within one hour, seven to eight people from the KGDCL arrived at my office. They threatened to cut my gas connection permanently if I couldn't pay them Tk 7 lakh immediately. However, after some bargain, they agreed to take Tk 1.7 lakh."

All units on my building have separate pre-paid gas meters, said Rajlu, adding that he has no pending bills.

On June 12, Rajlu lodged a complaint with the KGDCL authority demanding his money back as well as exemplary punishment of the officials involved.

On the same day, KGDCL high-ups formed a probe body to look into the matter.

Abdul Aziz, manager (general administration wing) of KGDCL, also member secretary of probe body told The Daily Star that they had received the complaint and had visited the spot.

"We will submit our findings as soon possible," he said.

Meanwhile, Sarwar Uddin, who led the KGDCL team to Rajlu's house, did not receive calls or replied to the text sent by this correspondent.