Jamaat demands proof of claims over auto-rickshaw ownership allegations

The Jamaat-e-Islami party has escalated a dispute with Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) officials by demanding documentary proof of allegations that the party's secretary general maintains ownership of approximately 700 auto-rickshaws. Party representatives claimed the accusations lack substantiation and called for the DNCC administrator to publicly release evidence supporting the claims.

The allegation, if confirmed, would represent one of the largest privately-held auto-rickshaw fleets in the capital and has drawn scrutiny regarding asset declaration and regulatory compliance. The DNCC administrator has not yet responded to the party's demand for documentation.

Jamaat officials characterised the claims as politically motivated and unsubstantiated, suggesting the allegations formed part of a broader pattern of targeting the party. The dispute reflects ongoing tensions between the Islamist party and municipal authorities in Dhaka.

Auto-rickshaws remain a critical component of Dhaka's transportation network, with ownership typically dispersed among thousands of individual operators and smaller fleet owners. The alleged scale of ownership attributed to a single party figure would represent an unusual concentration in the sector.