Farid Uddin Ahmed Ratan, councillor of Ward-20 of Dhaka South City Corporation, admitted that extortion took place in the Gulistan Trade Centre (Puran Bazar Market or Pora market) in the capital, but he was not involved therewith.

Ratan said it in a written statement after DSCC Mayor Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh issued a show cause notice on him.

Earlier, businessmen of Gulistan Trade Centre and Sundarban Square Market alleged that councillor Ratan collected crores of taka in the name of Mayor Taposh for legalising those who established shops violating the main design of the supermarkets.

The councillor claimed in his statement that some dishonest officials of the DSCC revenue section and market samity leaders were behind collecting the extortion from the traders.

But he did not disclose the names of those extortionists in his statement.

Ratan also requested the mayor not to take legal action against him because it will damage his reputation.

Traders of the market and officials of the DSCC said that a section of influential persons constructed shops in the market beyond approved design.

Earlier, Mayor Fazle Noor Taposh announced to demolish all of those illegal shops.

On December 17, DSCC mobile court conducted an eviction drive against those illegal installations.

The traders demonstrated and chanted slogans against councillor Ratan. The demonstration was published in different national dailies. Mayor Taposh took it seriously and issued the show cause notice.

Replying to a query about the show cause notice, DSCC CEO ABM Amin Ullah Nuri said they have received a reply from the councillor.

The actions will be taken as per laws in consultation with the Mayor, he added.