Dispute Over Fish Harvesting at Leased Pond in Dinajpur, Former Lessee Alleges Tk 600,000 Fish Theft

A dispute over harvesting fish from a leased pond in Fulbari Upazila of Dinajpur has led to allegations that the new highest bidder took fish worth about Tk 600,000 from the pond without authorization.

The allegation was made by former lessee Purna Chandra Das at a press conference held Saturday morning at the Rabeya Community Center in Fulbari. The new highest bidder, Nurul Master, denied the allegation.

Fulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ahmed Hasan said Nurul Master has not yet deposited the full lease amount with the government treasury. As a result, the new lease has not yet formally taken effect. He also said the former lessee was not legally entitled to harvest fish under the circumstances.

According to Purna Chandra Das, the pond, measuring about 4 acres and 55 decimals, is classified as vested property in Kajiha Union. He said he had leased the pond under government rules for about 24 years and had paid the required taxes and VAT while farming fish there.

The three-year lease expired before an open auction for government and vested-property ponds was held on July 23. Purna Chandra said he offered up to Tk 830,000, but Nurul Master submitted the highest bid of Tk 971,000.

Purna Chandra alleged that the pond contained fish worth about Tk 600,000 and that on the night of July 27, Nurul Master and several others harvested the fish without giving him an opportunity to remove them. He further alleged that the fish were taken before the new bidder had deposited the lease money with the government treasury, with the alleged involvement of some members of the auction committee.

He also said he tried to contact the UNO and Assistant Commissioner (Land) that night but received no response. Police later went to the site after being informed and seized a pickup loaded with fish and fishing nets, but the items were subsequently released on the instructions of senior authorities, he claimed.

Purna Chandra said he was later advised by the Assistant Commissioner (Land) to seek a remedy through a civil court. He called for an investigation, compensation for the fish and legal action against those responsible.

Nurul Master denied the allegation, saying he had legally won the lease by submitting the highest bid.

“The previous lessee was asked to remove his fish, but he did not do so and instead tried to drain the pond using a machine. We stopped him. The allegation of fish theft is not true,” he said.

UNO Ahmed Hasan said the pond had been leased through an open auction, but the highest bidder had not yet paid the full lease amount. Therefore, the pond had not formally been handed over to him.

“At the same time, the previous lessee was also not legally entitled to harvest fish. If he goes to court, the matter will be dealt with according to the law,” the UNO said.

The dispute now hinges on the legal status of the pond, the new lease and ownership of the fish remaining in it. An investigation or court proceeding may determine whether any wrongdoing occurred.