The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against eleven individuals, including five police officers, in connection with the alleged embezzlement of nearly Tk 3.94 crore through the creation of fraudulent ration cards at the Jhalokathi Police Lines ration store.
The case, lodged under the Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, was submitted at the ACC’s Integrated District Office in Pirojpur by Assistant Director Md. Zakir Hossain.
Accused Individuals
Police Officers:
ASI Md. Alauddin, former mess manager, Jhalokathi Police Lines
Inspector Arif Mahmud
Inspector Md. Al Mamun
Inspector Md. Rezaul Karim
Inspector Kazi Raziuz Zaman
Other Personnel:
Constables Atikur Rahman, Saiful Islam, Mehedi Hasan
Police Office Assistant Md. Towfiq Elahi
Ration Store Weigher Md. Zahir Uddin
Sales Assistant Syed Jasim Uddin
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to the ACC, the accused allegedly collaborated over several years while managing the ration store, producing 252 fake ration cards between 2013 and December 2021. These fraudulent cards were reportedly used to withdraw rationed commodities valued at a total of Tk 3,94,40,885.
The scale of embezzlement reportedly increased over time, as detailed below:
| Year | Fake Ration Cards | Amount Embezzled (Tk) |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 60 | 14,81,124 |
| 2014 | 56 | 29,27,928 |
| 2015 | 63 | 29,42,047 |
| 2016 | 49 | 19,92,259 |
| 2017 | 39 | 18,20,858 |
| 2018 | 74 | 34,20,511 |
| 2019 | 67 | 34,68,671 |
| 2020 | 148 | 73,39,238 |
| 2021 (up to Dec) | 252 | 1,40,48,249 |
The alleged fraud demonstrates systematic coordination among the accused, allowing them to extract large quantities of rationed goods over an extended period without detection.
ACC Statement and Investigation
The ACC described the case as a serious breach of public trust, highlighting institutional corruption within a law enforcement facility. Investigators are collecting asset declarations, transaction records, and witness testimonies from store employees to substantiate the allegations.
While no arrests have yet been reported, the ACC is expected to interrogate all eleven accused and may pursue judicial proceedings under both anti-corruption and criminal statutes.
The commission warned that such collusion not only undermines public welfare schemes but also erodes citizens’ confidence in law enforcement institutions, emphasising the need for vigilance and accountability in government service operations.