Sayeed Khokon Explained

Sayeed Khokon
Native Name:সাঈদ খোকন
Constituency Mp:Dhaka-6
Term Start:30 January 2024
Term End:6 August 2024
Predecessor:Kazi Firoz Rashid
Office1:1st Mayor of South Dhaka
Predecessor1:Post established
Successor1:Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh
Term Start1:7 May 2015
Term End1:7 May 2020
Birth Date:1970 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Dhaka, East Pakistan, Pakistan
Father:Mohammad Hanif
Mother:Fatema Hanif
Nationality:Bangladeshi
Party:Bangladesh Awami League
Spouse:Farhana Sayeed
Occupation:Businessman, politician
Alma Mater:Dhaka City College

Sayeed Khokon is a Bangladeshi businessman, politician and a former Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Dhaka-6 constituency. He was Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation from 2015 to 2020.[1] He is the Executive Member of Bangladesh Awami League Central Committee.[2] His father Mohammad Hanif was first elected Mayor of Dhaka City Corporation.

Early life

Khokon's father Mohammad Hanif was the first elected mayor of Dhaka.[3]

Career

Khokon collected nomination form of Awami League on 24 March 2015.[4] He won in the first Dhaka South City Corporation election on 29 April 2015.[5]

On 26 July 2017, Khokon blamed Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority for water logging problems in the city.[6]

On 26 December 2019, Khokon collected Dhaka South City Corporation nomination papers from Awami League.[7] The nomination went to Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Khokon accordingly accepted the decision of the party and party president, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.[8] [9]

A case was filed against Sayeed Khokon and several other for allegedly embezzling 350m BDT by the Gulistan Fulbaria City Supermarket-2 owners' association president Md Delwar Hossain in December 2020.[10] [11] The money had been paid for allocation of shops in block A between 2015 and 2019 which were later demolished for violating the original design of the complex.[12] 911 shops were demolished by the city corporation on 9 December.[13]

Judge KM Emrul Kayesh of Dhaka Court on 28 June 2021 order the accounts of Khokon and his wife, sister, and mother be frozen.[14] The accounts were frozen after a request from the deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Commission Jalal Uddin Ahmed who was in charge of the investigation on Khokon. On 28 July 2021, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit sought information on accounts held by Khokon from banks in Bangladesh.[15] He blamed his successor, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, for instigating the actions of Anti Corruption Commission.[16] Taposh did not respond to the allegations.[17] He also alleged his successor kept millions of city corporation fund in Modhumoti Bank Limited, which Taposh owned.[18] [19] Two defamation suits were filed against Khokon for his comments about Taposh but Taposh himself called for their withdrawal.[20] [21] [22]

Khokon was nominated by the Bangladesh Awami League for the position of Member of Parliament for Dhaka-6 Constituency in the 12th National Parliament Election. On 7 January 2024, he was elected by a huge margin.

Notes and References

  1. News: Awami League-backed Sayeed Khokon emulates father, wins Dhaka South City mayor election . . 29 April 2015 . 28 August 2015.
  2. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2020-01-12. Sayeed Khokon made AL central committee member. 2022-01-19. The Daily Star. en.
  3. Web site: Staff Correspondent. 2021-11-28. Mayor Hanif's anniversary of death today. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  4. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2015-03-24. 4 more collect forms for mayoral race. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  5. Web site: Awami League-backed Sayeed Khokon emulates father, wins Dhaka South City mayor election. 2022-01-21. bdnews24.com.
  6. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2017-07-26. Mayor Khokon blames Wasa. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  7. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2019-12-26. DSCC polls: Khokon collects AL nomination form. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  8. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2019-12-30. 'PM is my guardian, I am happy with her decision'. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  9. Web site: Bhattacharjee. Partha Pratim. 2019-12-27. AL may opt for a new face in south. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  10. Web site: Tk 350m embezzlement charges loom over ex-mayor Sayeed Khokon. 2020-12-29. bdnews24.com.
  11. Web site: 2020-12-29. Traders file 35C embezzlement case against ex-DSCC mayor Sayeed Khokon, 6 others. 2020-12-29. Dhaka Tribune.
  12. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2020-12-29. Former DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon, 6 others sued over embezzlement of Tk 35 crore. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  13. Web site: Alam. Helemul. 2020-12-09. Illegal Shops in Fulbaria: Hundreds torn down. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  14. Web site: Report. Star Digital. 2021-06-28. Court orders to freeze 8 bank accounts of Sayeed Khokon, family members. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  15. Web site: 2021-07-28. BFIU asks banks to provide account details of Sayeed Khokon. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  16. Web site: Staff Correspondent. 2021-06-30. Taposh harassing me to hide own failure: Khokon. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  17. Web site: Report. Star Digital. 2021-06-29. Taposh instigated ACC move to freeze bank accounts, Khokon alleges. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  18. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2021-01-09. A big fish going after a small fry: Khokon calls out Taposh on corruption. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  19. Web site: Staff Correspondent. 2021-01-10. Khokon questions Taposh's eligibility. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  20. Web site: Staff Correspondent. 2021-01-13. Overenthusiastic lawyers filed cases against Khokon. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  21. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2021-01-11. 'Defamatory remarks' against Taposh: 2 cases filed against Khokon. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.
  22. Web site: Report. Star Online. 2021-01-11. 'What is the market value of Taposh's reputation?', Khokon asks. 2022-01-21. The Daily Star. en.