ACC raids Bagerhat regional passport office over extra-fee and harassment complaints

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has raided the Bagerhat regional passport office over complaints of charging clients extra money, rude behaviour towards service seekers, keeping services closed for long periods on the pretext of lunch, and the deputy director not arriving at the office on time.

A team led by Abul Kaiyum Hawlader, deputy director of the ACC's Bagerhat integrated district office, conducted the raid on Tuesday afternoon (10 November). During the raid, ACC officials spoke to the passport office's officers and staff, and reviewed various documents and service activities.

Several service seekers who had come for passports told the raiding team they face various kinds of harassment while applying. Some alleged that money beyond the fixed government fee is demanded from them. They also complained of rude behaviour by officers and staff.

According to the service seekers, services are kept closed for nearly two hours on the pretext of lunch. Clients coming from far away have to wait for long periods as a result. There is also a complaint that the deputy director of the regional passport office does not arrive on time.

Meanwhile, a local journalist who had gone to cover the ACC raid has alleged rude behaviour towards him as well.

ACC Deputy Director Abul Kaiyum Hawlader said the complaints are being verified. The information and documents collected during the raid will be sent to the ACC head office, which will review them and take necessary action.

Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, assistant director of the Bagerhat regional passport office, said he has been running the office despite various limitations since taking charge. There is no scope, he said, to harass ordinary people by taking extra money through any irregularity at this office.

He added that the institution will not take responsibility if anyone outside the office is involved in such wrongdoing. But if evidence of corruption or misconduct is found against any officer or employee of the office, necessary action will be taken against them.

The ACC said that after the collected information and documents are sent to the head office and reviewed there, necessary steps will be taken in this regard.