CHATTOGRAM, Jan 27, 2025 (BSS) - The Chattogram Customs House authorities have launched an online auction of 44 vehicles, including 24 luxurious cars imported by former members of parliament (MPs) of the ousted Awami League (AL) government under duty-free privileges.

The auction process began today and will remain open for bidders till 2:00 pm on February 16 and the money from the sale of these high-CC cars will be deposited in the government treasury. 

Bijon Kumar Talukder, Revenue Officer of Chattogram Customs, said the interested parties can view the auction catalogue on the e-auction website from today. 

“The tender box will be opened on February 17. A total of 44 cars have been put up for auction, interested bidders can inspect the vehicles on-site from February 2 to 4.

According to the Chattogram Customs House, 24 are brand new Land Cruisers, which were brought by former Awami League MPs with duty-free facilities. Despite two letters, the former MPs have not cleared the imported vehicles. 

Among the 44 vehicles up for auction, besides the luxury cars brought by the former MPs, there are also 10 dump trucks, five Harriers, two RAV4, a Square, and two Land Cruisers.

Md Shakib Hossain, Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram Customs, said, the authority has decided to auction 24 out of the 31 vehicles imported by former MPs under duty-free facilities. 

The remaining seven vehicles brought by MPs are still under process and will be auctioned once the necessary procedures are completed, he added. 

Among those whose cars are being auctioned are former State Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Muhammad Saiful Islam, Muhammad Shahjahan Omar, Sourendra Nath Chakraborty, Anupam Shahjahan Joy, Sajjadul Hasan, Saddam Hossain (Pavel), Naser Shahriar Zahedi, Abul Kalam Azad, Abdul Motaleb, Mohammad Abdul Wahed, Touhiduzzaman, Shah Sarwar Kabir, S.A.K. Ekramuzzaman, S.M. Al Mamun, S.M. Kamal Hossain, Mujibur Rahman, Asaduzzaman and Akhtaruzzaman.