A. H. M. Khairuzzaman Liton

Abul Hasnat Muhammad Khairuzzaman Liton (born 14 August 1959) is a Bangladesh Awami League presidium member[2] and the former mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation.[3][4]

A. H. M. Khairuzzaman Liton
এ. এইচ. এম. খায়রুজ্জামান লিটন
7th Mayor of Rajshahi
In office
30 July 2018 – 19 August 2024
Preceded byMosaddek Hossain Bulbul[1]
Succeeded byDr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir (as Administrator)
In office
4 August 2008 – 15 June 2013
Preceded byMizanur Rahman Minu
Succeeded byMosaddek Hossain Bulbul
Personal details
Born (1959-08-14) 14 August 1959 (age 65)
Rajshahi District, East Pakistan, Pakistan
NationalityBangladeshi
Political partyBangladesh Awami League
SpouseShaheen Akhtar Reni
Children2 Daughter
Parent
Alma materUniversity of Calcutta
Occupationpolitician

Early life and education

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Liton was born at Kadirganj in Rajshahi District on 14 August 1959. His father, A.H.M. Kamaruzzaman, was one of the national leaders of Bangladesh.[5] He was a student of Rajshahi Collegiate School from class 3 to class 7. In 1976, he passed his HS Exam from Narendrapur Ramkrishna Mission. He completed his bachelor's from the University of Calcutta in English in 1979. He completed Bachelor of Laws from University of Rajshahi in 1983.[citation needed]

Political career

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In 1985, Liton became a Bar Council Member. In 1986, he joined Bangladesh Awami League. He took part in the general elections in 1996 and 2001 from the constituency of Rajshahi-2 (Poba-Boalia). He was the president of Rajshahi City Awami League until he was nominated as AL presidium member.[6][5] He got a landslide victory in the 30 July 2018 Rajshahi City Corporation election. As per results of the total 138 polling centres, Liton bagged a total of 1,65,096 votes while his nearest contestant Bulbul got 77, 700 votes. He has been absconding justice since 5 August 2024, and has been branded a war criminal.

Controversies

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After Khairuzzaman Liton was elected mayor in 2008, in his first term ever, he gave the work of constructing 3 multi-storied buildings of Rajshahi City Corporation on the basis of Public Private Partnership (PPP) to his close associates.[7] Later it took almost a decade to complete these works.[8]

Mayor Liton took the initiative to install 16 floodlights to illuminate 16 important intersections of Rajshahi metropolis in his second term. The contractor company 'Harrow Engineering and Construction' implemented the work at 9 crore 7 lakh 77 thousand 777 taka. Allegations of corruption surfaced only after the work was completed. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted raids and seized project documents. However, the controversial contractor was given more work.[9]

Allegations against a business entity named Amana Group for investing in foreign companies without the approval of the Central Bank of Bangladesh came to light through investigative journalism. Where it is shown that the group has raised about 800 crore rupees from common people through housing business and multilevel business strategy without buying land. Later they joined the shipping business. From which the fear is expressed in those reports that Trade Based Money Laundering (TBML) is being prepared. In various processes Khairuzzaman Liton, his wife Shaheen Akhtar Reni and daughter Dr. Anika Fariha Zaman Arna is included as a partner in their business network and their network extends to Britain, Dubai, Pakistan and India, according to reports published in various Bangladeshi media.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ "Bulbul wins Rajshahi Mayor race". bdnews24.com. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  2. ^ BSS (27 November 2021). "Khairuzzaman Liton made AL presidium member". Prothomalo. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Rajshahi City Election 2018. Liton wins RCC polls". The Daily Star. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  4. ^ UttorbongoProtidin.Com, M.a.Habib Jewel (24 August 2024). "রাজশাহীতে হত্যা মামলায় সাবেক মেয়র লিটনসহ আসামি ৩৪২". উত্তরবঙ্গ প্রতিদিন. No. 24 August 2024. Rajshahi, Bangladesh. UttorbongoProtidin.Com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Mayor's Profile". City portal of Rajshahi. Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  6. ^ Bangladeshinfo. "Khairuzzaman Liton made Awami League Presidium Member". www.bangladeshinfo.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  7. ^ Ali, Anwar (21 May 2013). "Liton banks on AL leader's 'donation'". The Daily Star.
  8. ^ "তিন বছরের কাজ শেষ হয়নি ছয় বছরেও". The Daily Prothom Alo. 28 February 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  9. ^ "রাজশাহীতে সেই হ্যারো ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিংয়ের কাজে ফের অনিয়মের অভিযোগ". The Daily Ittefaq. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  10. ^ Lablu, Mahbub Alam (11 June 2024). "এমএলএম'র আদলে ৮০০ কোটি টাকা সংগ্রহ: বিদেশে পাচারের নীলনকশা!". The Daily Jugantor. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  11. ^ Ahmed, Razu (12 June 2024). "দেশের টাকা কোথায় ঢালছে আমানা গ্রুপ". Protidiner Bangladesh. Retrieved 13 June 2024.