Expatriate Saiful Islam who was in Malaysia for long time wants to be back to his work there. As validity of his passport expired, he applied for a new one.
Following government policy, he submitted his e-passport application with exact details matching his National ID (NID). To receive the passport quickly, he opted for the super express delivery service.
Two days later, a SI rank police officer from Dhaka called him and asked to meet with the required documents. However, Saiful wished meeting at a different time instead of the scheduled one.
The SI responded that it was not an issue and mentioned that WhatsApp was available on his number. He asked Saiful to send all the necessary documents there. Following the SI’s instructions, Saiful sent all the required documents.
Shortly after, the SI informed him that bKash was available on the same number. Saiful then sent him 1,000 taka via bKash.
However, the SI responded: “Is that enough?” Following the message, Saiful sent him another 1,000 taka via bKash. Later, the SI wrote “OK” and sent Saiful a message.
The next day, another SI from Saiful’s hometown in Madaripur called him. When asked for the necessary documents, Saiful sent all of them to the SI’s WhatsApp number.
After that, the SI called and requested some “expenses”. Saiful then sent him 1,000 taka via bKash. The next day, the same SI called again and asked for more money. Once again, Saiful transferred another 1,000 taka.
Shortly after, the SI messaged Saiful on WhatsApp, saying: “Not enough, please send more.” Wanting to receive his passport quickly, Saiful sent another 1,000 taka. The Madaripur SI then replied with a simple “Thanks”.
In total, Saiful spent 5,000 taka on passport verification in both Dhaka and Madaripur.
Adnan Rahman, a resident of Barishal, works in Dhaka. As he planned to travel abroad with his family, he applied for a passport for his wife, despite already having one himself.
In Dhaka, the verification process was completed without any payment. However, when a police officer visited his hometown for verification, he was provided with the necessary documents. Instead of completing the process formally, the officer requested money for “tea and snacks”, putting Adnan in an awkward situation.
Feeling compelled, Adnan asked for the officer’s bKash number. The officer provided a number, and Adnan transferred 1,000 taka. When Adnan later called the number to confirm the transaction, he discovered that it belonged to a bKash agent shop. The agent asked whom the money was meant for, and upon hearing the officer’s name, he simply replied, “All right”.
It highlights how mobile banking apps like bKash and Nagad are being used to facilitate bribes in passport verification. If applicants meet the officers in person, they pay cash directly. Officers generally accept whatever amount is given, but if they find it insufficient, they demand more.
Bribery in passport verification has become an “open secret”.
According to Special Branch (SB) of Police, “SI and ASI rank officers are assigned for passport verification, both in and outside Dhaka and don’t receive any official expenses or travel allowances for conducting these verifications.
AIG (Media) Enamul Haque Sagor said that if any specific complaint of bribery is received, an investigation will be conducted. He assured action against those involved in bribery.
Translated by Afsar Munna
