The Chattogram Customs House is set to auction nearly 100 vehicles, including 31 luxury Land Cruiser cars imported under a duty-free privilege for former members of parliament during the ousted Awami League regime.
The Chattogram customs authorities have set the price of each Land Cruiser at Tk聽9.67 crore.
Among the importers of the luxury vehicles stranded at the port were former MPs, including Mohiuddin Maharaj of Pirojpur-2, ABM Anisuzzaman of Mymensingh-7, Mohammad Mojibur Rahman of Bogura-5, Jannat Ara Henry of Sirajganj-2, Ranjit Chandra Sarkar of Sunamganj-1, Sajjadul Hasan of Netrakona-4, Shah Sarwar Kabir of Gaibandha-2, SAK Ekramuzzaman of Brahmanbaria-1, SM Al Mamun of Chattogram-4, SM Kamal Hossain of Khulna-3, Mujibur Rahman of Chattogram-16, Saurendra Nath Chakrabhartty of Naogaon-3, Tarana Halim of Reserved Seat-13, Md Nasser Shahrear Zahedee of Jhenaidah-2, Abul Kalam Azad of Jamalpur-5, Muhammad Siddiq of Sunamganj-4, Abdul Motaleb of Chattogram-15, Shammi Ahmed of Reserved Seat-14, Abdul Wahed of Mymensingh-11, Runu Reza of Reserved Seat-12, Md Towhiduz Zaman of Jashore-2, Anupam Shahjahan Joy of Tangail-8, Saddam Hossain Pavel of Nilphamari-3 and Farida Yasmin of Reserved Seat-35.
The parliament was dissolved immediately after the fall of Sheikh Hasina amid a student-led uprising on August 5, 2024 and consequently the former MPs lost their duty-free privileges.
鈥榃e are auctioning 31 vehicles imported under duty-free facilities for former MPs. In addition, 70 other vehicles of various brands are being put up for sale. As per auction regulations, the base price must reach 60 per cent of the assessed value in the first round to approve the sale,鈥� Chattogram customs assistant commissioner Md Sakib Hossain said, adding that otherwise, the vehicles would be re-auctioned.
鈥楾he base price for each Land Cruiser is set at Tk聽9.67 crore, while the valuation of the other vehicles is ongoing. We have planned to hold the auction next week,鈥� he said.
Despite being notified to clear the vehicles within the stipulated time, only one individual responded, the official said, adding that consequently the customs authorities decided to auction the vehicles to protect the country鈥檚 revenue.
According to the Chattogram customs, the luxury vehicles will be sold to the highest bidders during the auction. Additionally, 70 other vehicles of various brands lying idle at the Chattogram port will also be put up for sale. These include 13 Haval, one RAV4, five Harrier, three Noah, three Premio, 10 dump trucks, 30 mixer trucks, three Square brand cars and one Osaka brand car.
Earlier, on August 21, the Chattogram customs sought suggestions from the National Board of Revenue regarding the vehicles.
On December 8, the NBR directed that the vehicles be cleared upon payment of applicable duties and set a 15-day deadline for compliance.
As the deadline ended without progress, the authorities decided to auction the vehicles.