ACC raids Feni passport office amid bribery allegations

Feni Correspondent :

An investigation team from the Noakhali district coordinated office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an operation on Thursday targeting officials and employees of the Feni passport office, following allegations of extortion and bribery in passport services provision.
During the operation, the ACC delegation uncovered evidence of collusion between brokers and officials at the passport office. Multiple mobile phones belonging to the implicated individuals were seized for further investigation. The investigation team announced that legal action would ensue after analyzing the data retrieved from the seized devices and compiling a comprehensive report.
Reports suggest the existence of a syndicate comprising local travel agencies, itinerants, and professional brokers in collaboration with certain officials of the Feni Passport Office. This syndicate allegedly extorts money under various pretexts, including alterations to passport details such as name, age, and address. Applications are purportedly rejected unless accompanied by specific seals and numbers.
The ACC’s operation was initiated following a complaint from a victim of harassment, shedding light on the systematic corruption within the passport issuance process.
The ACC vows to pursue this investigation rigorously to hold all involved parties accountable and ensure the integrity of passport services for citizens.