In a striking anti-corruption operation in Sonagazi Upazila, Feni, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) apprehended an Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) and his assistant on Thursday afternoon while allegedly accepting a bribe of one lakh taka at the PIO’s office.
The individuals arrested have been identified as Mohammad Al Saeed, the Upazila Project Implementation Officer, and his assistant Abu Naser. According to sources from the ACC’s Noakhali Integrated Regional Office, the incident is linked to five recently completed bridge construction projects in the upazila.
The contractor for these projects, Humayun Kabir, had submitted his bills for approval and release of funds. When he approached the PIO for payment, he was reportedly asked for a total bribe of 12 lakh taka. When the contractor initially refused to pay, the release of his payments was withheld. Eventually, the contractor agreed to provide a portion of the bribe, paying 5.5 lakh taka initially, with another 1 lakh taka scheduled for delivery.
Today, when Humayun Kabir brought the remaining 1 lakh taka to the PIO’s office, the ACC team, which had been lying in wait, immediately apprehended both Mohammad Al Saeed and Abu Naser, seizing the cash as evidence.
ACC Noakhali’s Deputy Director, Md. Faruk Ahmed, stated that the contractor had lodged a formal written complaint on 23 February. Based on this complaint, the anti-corruption authorities conducted the operation. Faruk Ahmed further noted that Mohammad Al Saeed had previously extorted an additional 5 lakh taka from other projects.
The ACC has confirmed that the Assistant Director, Chinmoy Chakraborty, is preparing to file a formal case against the two arrested officials.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption in local government projects, particularly in infrastructure development. Officials note that prompt detection and enforcement measures are critical to ensure transparency and accountability in public sector projects.
Summary of Bribe Incident
| Official | Role | Bribe Amount (Taka) | Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Al Saeed | Upazila Project Officer (PIO) | 6,50,000 | Apprehended while accepting final 1 lakh |
| Abu Naser | PIO Assistant | 1,00,000 | Arrested alongside PIO |
| Humayun Kabir | Contractor | 6,50,000 paid | Lodged written complaint with ACC |
The ACC’s swift action in Sonagazi demonstrates its commitment to curbing corrupt practices at the local administrative level. The commission has urged contractors and citizens to report any demands for bribes immediately, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy towards graft and extortion in public projects.