KCC forms fresh body to probe alleged fuel theft

KHULNA, May 6: Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has formed a fresh three-member committee to investigate an alleged fuel theft incident involving one of its utility vehicles, officials said.

According to an office order signed by KCC Acting Secretary Rahima Khatun Bushra on May 4, the committee has been tasked with submitting its report within five working days.

The committee is headed by KCC Executive Engineer (Mechanical) Md Anisuzzaman. Other members include Conservancy Officer Mohammad Anisur Rahman and Sub-Assistant Engineer (Mechanical) Mohammad Selimul Azad.

The order stated that the incident dates back to March 19, two days before Eid-ul-Fitr, when Khalishpur B-region Supervisor Nuruzzaman Sumon informed KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju over the phone about suspected fuel theft from a back wheel loader stationed in the Khalishpur New Market area.

Following the complaint, KCC officials rushed to the spot and reportedly seized a container holding several litres of fuel. The driver of the vehicle, Enayet Hossain Babul, was immediately removed from duty and barred from operating the loader pending investigation.

Officials said this is the third committee formed to investigate the same incident, as earlier probes were disrupted due to changes in committee composition.

At first, a committee was formed soon after the allegation surfaced. However, it was later reconstituted after objections were raised over the inclusion of a member.

In the revised committee, KCC Estate Officer Gazi Salauddin was replaced by Executive Engineer (Mechanical) Md Anisuzzaman to ensure neutrality and smooth investigation.