Suraiya Akter Jahan Named DNCC Administrator; Mohammad Azaz Removed

The interim government has appointed Suraiya Akter Jahan as the new administrator of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) after opting not to renew the contract of her predecessor, Mohammad Azaz.

The appointment was confirmed in a gazette notification issued Monday (Feb. 9) by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives. Suraiya Akter Jahan, an additional secretary at the Local Government Division, will assume all mayoral powers and privileges as specified by law.

The leadership change comes as the former administrator, Mohammad Azaz, faces an intensifying investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Azaz, who is also the chairman of the River and Delta Research Centre, was barred from leaving the country by a Dhaka court on Feb. 1 following allegations of bribery, power abuse, and financial irregularities.

The ACC probe targets several high-profile projects under Azaz's tenure, including the lease of the Gabtoli cattle market, the implementation of an e-rickshaw project, and the alleged occupation of Borak Tower (Hotel Sheraton). Investigators are also looking into the irregular allocation of shops in the Banani and Khilgaon markets and mismanagement of city van services.

Azaz reportedly failed to appear before the commission for questioning on Jan. 29, leading to the court-ordered travel ban to prevent him from fleeing the country during the ongoing inquiry.