In a startling revelation, the High Court has directed an investigation into the leasing of a spacious 7,580 square-foot staff canteen situated at the Uttara depot of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) for a mere Tk 1,000 per month.

During the hearing of a writ petition on Thursday, a High Court bench comprising Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah issued the directive, expressing grave concern over the apparent discrepancy in the rental agreement.

The court directed the Secretary of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and furnish a comprehensive report within the next month.

Furthermore, in light of the dubious nature of the canteen rental notice, the High Court issued a rule questioning the legality of renting out the facility at such an absurdly low rate of Tk 1,000 per month.

Advocate Md Tanvir Ahmed represented the petitioner during the hearing, while Assistant Attorney General Selim Azad represented the state's interests.

The controversy surrounding the canteen rental surfaced on March 14 when a notice, signed by DMTCL General Manager (Store and Procurement) Md Nazrul Islam, was issued, inviting tenders for the operation of the staff canteen.

According to the notice, a bid submitted by Khandaker Enterprise on January 1, offering to operate the canteen for one year at a total cost of Tk 12,000 (excluding VAT and income tax), was deemed acceptable.

The notice stipulated that the contracting firm must provide written consent within seven days to execute a three-year contract.

In response to the perceived irregularity, Md Tanvir Ahmed, a lawyer of the Supreme Court, filed a writ petition challenging the validity of the notice, prompting the High Court's intervention.