Disturbing allegations have emerged from Netrokona that Rohingya individuals are obtaining Bangladeshi national identity cards (NIDs) in exchange for money. An investigation by news has revealed that a coordinated group within the Netrokona Sadar Upazila Election Office has been allegedly enrolling Rohingyas into voter lists through irregular procedures. These actions, if confirmed, could pose a significant threat to national security and the integrity of the state’s administrative systems.
According to the investigation, a national ID was issued under the name Jannat Begum with the number 3331089585. The ID listed her father as Md. Abdul Hasim, mother as Mosa Anju, and address as Pukuria village, Netrokona Sadar Upazila. However, verification uncovered multiple discrepancies.
Cross-checking the parental NIDs revealed that Abdul Hasim and Anju are indeed married and permanent residents of Birampur village, Mohanganj Upazila, Netrokona. Abdul Hasim passed away approximately ten years ago. The couple had four sons and one daughter, whose name is Sigdha Akter Hasi. There is no daughter named Jannat Begum.
Family member Motahar Hossain told Kaler Kantho:
“We do not have a sister named Jannat Begum. Our only daughter is Sigdha Akter Hasi, who married eight years ago in Dharmapasha Sadar and is registered as a voter there.”
Local representatives corroborated this. Ali Noor, a Union Parishad member, stated:
“Abdul Hasim and Anju have no daughter named Jannat Begum. Any voter using their identity is committing fraud.”
Further irregularities were detected in the voter data entry process. A mobile number used to submit Form-2 for the voter record was traced to Arfan Shakil, a resident of Mymensingh currently studying in China, who denied any connection with Jannat Begum. Additionally, the corresponding birth registration was found to be digitally fabricated from another record.
According to multiple election office employees speaking on condition of anonymity, Jannat Begum is a Rohingya who allegedly purchased her voter registration for approximately BDT 150,000. The Sadar Upazila Election Officer, Md. Sihab Uddin, is said to have authorised the ID along with another official. Around 50–60 similar NIDs are suspected to have been issued at costs ranging from BDT 150,000 to 200,000.
| Name | NID Number | Alleged Fee (BDT) | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jannat Begum | 3331089585 | 150,000 | Pukuria, Netrokona Sadar | Identity fabricated; parents verified |
| Kamrul Hasan | 1982479733 | Not specified | Ramnathpur, Kolmakanda | NID and passport purchased illegally |
Sadar Upazila Election Officer Sihab Uddin denied wrongdoing, stating that multiple IDs cannot be individually verified during voter updates and insisted no monetary transactions occurred. District Election Officer Mohammad Tofayel Hossain confirmed that an investigation will be conducted, and District Commissioner Saifur Rahman added that legal action would follow if the allegations are substantiated.
This incident is not isolated. In December, authorities arrested a shop owner in Mohanganj for producing 13 fraudulent birth registrations for Rohingyas using a UNO’s login credentials. Another case in Kolmakanda involved the illegal acquisition of a NID and passport by a Rohingya for payment.