The authority brought charges against Md Ashraf Uddin, a sub-assistant engineer of Maintenance, Operation, Distribution and Supply (MODS) Zone-6, saying he has built rooms and shops on the Motijheel-Kamlapur water pump compound illegally and rented those out, with illegal electric connections.

Similar charges have been brought against pump operators Md Ibrahim Sheikh, Md Abul Khair Majumdar and Md Akhlakur Rahman of zone-1, assistant pipe line man Md Jamal Hossain of zone-2, and MLSS Md Solaiman of DWASA legal section.

In an office order issued on February 18, the DWASA said they have been asked several times to remove the unauthorised structures, but they have ignored the directive.

The suspended staffs will be entitled to subsistence allowance according the rules during the suspension period but will not be able to leave their workstation without prior permission of the authority, it said.