On Wednesday, the Water Development Board launched an eviction drive against Dhaka Boat Club, which still occupies riverfront land, with locals alleging that the club violates the 200-yard river boundary rule.
In a press release, the Ministry of Water Resources stated that a mobile court has reclaimed 100 acres of illegally occupied land in Mirpur’s Goran Chatbari area as part of an eviction drive. During the operation, several illegal encroachments and structures were cleared along the Mirpur embankment, the release went on to say.
Dhaka Boat Club was one of the establishments targeted by the drive, among several others, including Amin Mohammad Group and Turag Recreation Center, in addition to various other illegal shops and structures. The drive was carried out with participation from the police and the Bangladesh Army.
Although authorities ordered the club to vacate over 10 acres of illegally occupied land in January – and some parts of the club’s front area was demolished – its main structure remains intact.
Nasir Uddin Mahmud told Times of Bangladesh that 14 bighas of the club’s original 27 bighas were reclaimed by the Bangladesh Inland Water Authority (BIWTA), leaving just over 12 bighas.
He went on to say that the eviction only removed an archway, lampposts, a statue, and a fountain, sparing the main building. Nasir also accused Benazir of embezzling Tk32 crore, leading to his membership being revoked.
Dhaka Water Development Board Executive Engineer ML Shaikat stated that the club was illegally occupying nearly 11 acres in Savar’s Borokakor, despite being legally permitted only 0.55 acres.
When asked about the 11-year delay in action, Shaikat deferred comments to Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Dhaka Boat Club Limited has been mired in controversy since its inception. Built on encroached land along the Turag River in 2021, the club is a popular venue for hosting late-night parties, oftentimes in the presence of alcohol, accompanied by raucous dancing.
The club first made headlines in 2021, when actress Pori Moni filed a case against Nasir Uddin Mahmud, co-founder of Dhaka Boat Club, bringing allegations of rape and murder, leading to the latter’s eventual arrest.
Despite public outrage, the case was suppressed as then-IGP Benazir Ahmed was serving as the club’s president. Currently, Nasir Uddin Mahmud presides over the club, with Benazir since expelled.