Employees of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) sanitation department play a vital role in keeping the capital clean and livable. They are responsible for maintaining cleanliness on roads, streets, lanes and in various neighbourhoods across the city. Relevant officials and employees are assigned to supervise these activities at the field level.
However, serious allegations have been raised against Mrityunjay, a Sanitation Inspector (SI/Supervisor) working at the DNCC’s Zone-2 (Mirpur), Ward No. 7 office. The allegations include illegally collecting money from sanitation workers, showing absent employees as present in attendance records, and threatening workers with job loss.
According to allegations made by several sanitation workers, Mrityunjay joined the DNCC in 2023. The workers claim that he has since used his influence to establish control over employees under his supervision.
At present, around 64 sanitation workers are reportedly working under his supervision. His responsibilities include assigning workers to different areas and monitoring their attendance and performance in the field.
Allegations of Monthly Payments
Several sanitation workers allege that they are required to pay around Tk 2,000 per month in exchange for being allowed to remain absent from duty or take several days off each month without facing consequences.
According to the allegations, some workers make the payments in cash, while others allegedly send money through mobile financial services.
If the allegations are accurate, approximately Tk 108,000 could be collected every month from 64 workers.
The workers further allege that at least 10 employees who are not regularly performing their field duties are nevertheless being shown as present throughout the month in the attendance register.
10 Workers Allegedly Absent from Regular Duties
During the investigation, several workers claimed that at least 10 of the 64 sanitation employees do not regularly perform their assigned field duties.
The names mentioned in connection with the allegations include Karim, Firoz, Saju, Rafeza, Pinky, Gazi’s daughter, Robi and Shefali, along with two others.
According to the allegations, some of these employees stay in their respective villages, while others are allegedly involved in businesses in different parts of Dhaka. Despite this, several workers claim that they continue to be marked as present in the official attendance records.
During a two-month inquiry, some of the employees named in the allegations were reportedly found at their respective business establishments during the hours when they were scheduled to be performing sanitation duties.
The complainants further alleged that some of the employees who remain absent from duty pay approximately Tk 12,000 per month to SI Mrityunjay. If 10 workers are involved, the alleged amount would total around Tk 120,000 per month.
Alleged Payments for Substitute Duty
The allegations are not limited to unauthorised absence.
Workers also allege that when one employee arranges for another person to perform duty in their place, approximately Tk 3,000 per month is allegedly collected for such substitute or replacement duty.
Several sanitation workers spoke to the reporter on condition of anonymity, citing concerns about possible retaliation. Based on their statements, an investigation was conducted into the allegations.
During the inquiry, some of the employees mentioned by the complainants were reportedly found at their business establishments during their scheduled duty hours.
Mrityunjay Denies the Allegations
When the reporter visited the office of SI Mrityunjay to obtain his response to the allegations, he directed the reporter to sit in the office of Deputy Manager Md. Benazir Ahmed.
When the allegations were raised there, Deputy Manager Md. Benazir Ahmed responded on Mrityunjay’s behalf.
Later, Mrityunjay himself denied the allegations, claiming that around 80 percent of the accusations against him were false and that an attempt was being made to implicate him as part of a conspiracy.
When questioned about video footage and other information reportedly available to the reporter, Mrityunjay appeared uncomfortable, according to the reporter’s account.
It was also alleged that there were attempts to settle the matter financially and discourage publication of a report concerning the allegations of corruption against him.
Alleged Threats Against Workers
Several sanitation workers also alleged that those who speak against Mrityunjay or provide information to journalists are threatened with losing their jobs.
According to the allegations, Mrityunjay told workers that he would find out how journalists had obtained the information and would identify the person who provided it, after which action would be taken to remove that individual from their job.
If proven true, such allegations would raise serious questions not only about pressure on sanitation workers but also about accountability and supervision within the city corporation’s field-level sanitation management.
Independent Investigation Needed
The allegations against an official responsible for supervising sanitation activities in an important ward of Mirpur warrant an impartial investigation, according to concerned individuals.
To establish the facts, the DNCC authorities could examine attendance registers, duty rosters, leave approvals, substitute-duty records and other relevant documents. Field-level attendance could also be independently verified.
Where legally and proced