The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Co-operatives on Thursday directed Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority deputy managing director AKM Shahid Uddin to cease functioning as the organisation鈥檚 managing director.
Moreover, the ministry suspended all appointments, promotions, and transfers made under Shahid鈥檚 tenure since he assumed the position of MD on August 15, following procedural irregularities.
The directives were issued through two circulars on Thursday.聽
This move followed an order by the vacation judge of the Appellate Division, Md Rezaul Haque, who postponed the government鈥檚 appeal hearing, along with a separate appeal from Shahid, until September 18.
Both appeals challenged a High Court decision passed on September 5 barring Shahid from holding the office of MD after Dhaka WASA Sramik Union President Annisuzzaman filed a writ petition questioning the legality of his appointment.聽
Following the court鈥檚 order, DMD Syed Mohammad Golam Yazdani, who was previously removed by ex-DWASA MD Taqsem A Khan, attempted to take over as MD, citing his seniority as the longest-serving DMD. The High Court had earlier ruled in favor of Yazdani鈥檚 reinstatement, but DWASA had appealed against that decision.聽
The writ petition contended that Shahid鈥檚 appointment as MD was not authorised by the DWASA Board, as required by law.
Shahid, who had previously served as director for Technical Services, was appointed MD following the removal of Taqsem A Khan in the wake of the student-led movement that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 Awami League government on August 5.