Writ petition challenges Dhaka Wasa MD’s appointment

A Supreme Court lawyer today filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of the appointment of Engineer Taqsem A Khan as managing director (MD) of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa).

Syed Sayedul Haque Suman submitted the petition as a public interest litigation saying that Taqsem A Khan has been appointed as MD of Dhaka Wasa via fraud practice as the marksheet of his recruitment viva voce exam was tampered with.

In the petition, the lawyer prayed to the HC to direct the Anti-Corruption Commission and government to conduct probes into the allegations.

Taqsem A Khan had no experience of serving as sewerage officer or any other relevant administrative office before he was appointed as MD of Dhaka Wasa in 2009, even though there is a rule asking for at least 20 years' experience in such a position, Syed Sayedul Haque Suman told The Daily Star citing the writ petition.

Taqsem A Khan has been serving as MD of Dhaka Wasa for the last 13 years, and he has increased price of per unit water from Tk 6 to Tk 15 in this time.

He said the HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat Lizu may hold hearing on the petition tomorrow.

Dhaka Wasa on November 29 this year submitted a compliance report to another HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo saying that Dhaka Wasa's MD and Chief Executive Officer Taqsem A Khan has been paid Tk 5.8 crore as salaries and other benefits over the last 13 years.