Benazir's Boat Club: What lies ahead? | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
July 21, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JULY 21, 2025
Benazir's Boat Club: What lies ahead?

Corruption

Foisal Ahmed
01 September, 2024, 09:20 am
Last modified: 01 September, 2024, 10:27 am

Related News

  • CID seizes Tk400cr worth of assets linked to cooperative scam in Jamalpur
  • Court orders transfer of cases against Hasina, family over Rajuk plot corruption
  • No extortion or corruption if Jamaat voted to power: Shafiqur at Suhrawardy rally
  • Court freezes 4 bank accounts with Tk1.32cr of ex-foreign minister Hasan Mahmud’s daughter
  • ACC sues C&F agent for attempting Tk4.93cr duty evasions by importing falsely declared SUV

Benazir's Boat Club: What lies ahead?

There are allegations that the club has encroached on land from the Turag River and violated rules prohibiting construction within 200 yards of the river’s boundary

Foisal Ahmed
01 September, 2024, 09:20 am
Last modified: 01 September, 2024, 10:27 am
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

The controversial Dhaka Boat Club, once served by former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed as its president, is set to face potential action, including possible eviction, by government authorities.

"This is actually an old issue that hasn't been widely discussed. However, now that it is under our purview, we will address it," Sarwar Mahmud, chairman of the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), told The Business Standard.

"We have a meeting scheduled for 4 September. We will include this issue on the agenda along with other matters. Following the meeting, the commission may request the relevant authorities to conduct a new survey to determine if the club was built by encroaching on river land."

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

There are allegations that the club has encroached on land from the Turag River and violated rules prohibiting construction within 200 yards of the river's boundary.

Several environmental and social organisations have complained that the club, established in 2021, was built on occupied river land and have called for the demolition of the illegal structure.

A Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) official, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "The club was indeed built illegally on river land, violating the rule against constructing within 200 yards of the river boundary. However, no one dared to raise questions because the club was backed by powerful figures, including former IGP Benazir Ahmed."

Benazir is now facing massive corruption allegations with his assets seized following court orders.  

File photo of Dhaka Boat Club/Collected
File photo of Dhaka Boat Club/Collected

BIWTA Joint Director Alamgir Kabir told TBS, "The issue of land grabbing by the Boat Club was resolved long ago by a court order, so we have no further role in the matter. However, if the NRCC asks us to, we can take steps, as the NRCC is the primary authority on rivers."

He continued, "If instructed, we will conduct a new survey and measurement. If it is found that the club encroached on river land, an eviction order may be issued."

The club is also accused of acquiring land illegally from private owners. It is known that in 2014, 27 bighas of land were purchased from Eastern University in the name of the Boat Club.

Subsequently, the land was acquired through various means. While some of it was purchased, there are allegations that the club has occupied khas (government) land leased by others. Currently, the Dhaka Boat Club occupies around 60 bighas of land.

Since the beginning of its construction, leaseholders have approached government offices to reclaim their land but have not succeeded. One such leaseholder is Saidur Rahman Sujan, a former chairman of the Savar Birulia Union Parishad.

In a media interview, he said, "The Boat Club has encroached on 77 decimals of government land leased in my name. A club member threatened me, saying the land would be used by the club and that I should drop the matter."

The Dhaka Boat Club officially launched in February 2021. According to its website, Dhaka Boat Club Limited (DBCL) is the premier recreational boating and social club in Dhaka, established in 1985.

The website claims the club is the first of its kind in Dhaka and is located on the picturesque shores of the Turag River.

Bangladesh / Top News

Boat Club / Corruption / Benazir Ahmed

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • TBS Illustration
    US tariff: Dhaka open to trade concessions but set to reject non-trade conditions
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    High US dependence may bring over 250 RMGs to edge as high tariff looms 
  • Photo: Collected
    BNP alleges arrests, harassment of innocent civilians in Gopalganj's Kotalipara

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Mohammad Minhaz Uddin
    Ctg port to deliver 16 more products via private depots to ease congestion
  • A roundtable titled ‘US Reciprocal Tariff: Which Way for Bangladesh?’, held at a hotel in Dhaka on 20 July 2025, organised by Prothom Alo. Photo: TBS
    Things don’t look good for Bangladesh: US brands warn exporters amid tariff hike
  • Infograph: TBS
    Liquidation of troubled NBFIs may cost govt Tk12,000cr in taxpayer money
  • File Photo: Debapriya Bhattacharya, head of the White Paper Committee, speaks at a press conference at the planning ministry in Dhaka on Monday, 2 December, 2024. Photo: Collected
    Govt’s NDA signing a first of its kind in Bangladesh’s history: Debapriya on US tariff talks
  • Infograph: TBS
    Dhaka to seek G2G coal import, investment in solar plants during CA’s visit to Jakarta
  • On behalf of the Bangladesh government, Director General of the Directorate General of Food Md Abul Hasanath Humayun Kabir signed the MoU, while Vice President of US Wheat Associates Joseph K Sowers signed on behalf of the United States. Photo: Courtesy
    Bangladesh signs MoU to import 7 lakh tonnes of wheat annually from US for 5 years

Related News

  • CID seizes Tk400cr worth of assets linked to cooperative scam in Jamalpur
  • Court orders transfer of cases against Hasina, family over Rajuk plot corruption
  • No extortion or corruption if Jamaat voted to power: Shafiqur at Suhrawardy rally
  • Court freezes 4 bank accounts with Tk1.32cr of ex-foreign minister Hasan Mahmud’s daughter
  • ACC sues C&F agent for attempting Tk4.93cr duty evasions by importing falsely declared SUV

Features

Despite all the adversities, girls from the hill districts are consistently pushing the boundaries to earn repute and make the nation proud. Photos: TBS

Despite poor accommodation, Ghagra’s women footballers bring home laurels

8h | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Water-resistant footwear: A splash of style in every step

9h | Brands
Tottho Apas have been protesting in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka for months, with no headway in sight. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

From empowerment to exclusion: The crisis facing Bangladesh’s Tottho Apas

1d | Panorama
The main points of clashes were in Jatrabari, Uttara, Badda, and Mirpur. Violence was also reported in Mohammadpur. Photo: TBS

20 July 2024: At least 37 killed amid curfew; Key coordinator Nahid Islam detained

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Hasina government's close associates are giving up ownership of property in the UK

Hasina government's close associates are giving up ownership of property in the UK

6h | Others
Sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan's death marks the end of a colorful life

Sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan's death marks the end of a colorful life

6h | Others
News of The Day, 20 JULY 2025

News of The Day, 20 JULY 2025

7h | TBS News of the day
Are good relations being developed between political parties?

Are good relations being developed between political parties?

6h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net