Allegations of broker syndicates operating freely, harassment of service seekers, and the collection of extra money beyond official fees have persisted for years at the Noakhali Regional Passport Office. More recently, allegations have emerged that individuals from neighboring districts, including people facing multiple criminal cases and questions regarding their eligibility for passports, are being assisted in the passport application process in exchange for substantial sums of money.
Several service seekers allege that some office employees and outside intermediaries are working together to facilitate these irregularities. Their complaints have also raised questions about the roles of Deputy Director (DD) Mehedi Hasan and Assistant Deputy Director Md. Nazmul Ahsan Habib.
According to complainants, applicants face pressure to pay additional money through brokers at various stages, including application submission, correction of personal information, police verification, and passport collection. There are allegations that applicants are charged an additional Tk 2,000 to Tk 3,000 beyond the official fees for ordinary passport applications. Complainants also claim that substantial amounts are demanded for correcting names, ages, and other personal information.
During an on-site visit, several computer and photocopy shops were observed along the road in front of the Noakhali Regional Passport Office. Allegations suggest that some of these shops act as intermediaries in addition to providing application preparation and document-related services. Some applicants claim that submitting applications through brokers makes the process easier, whereas those seeking services directly often face repeated objections over alleged errors or other forms of harassment.
Kabir Hossain, who came from Sonaimuri, said he had been advised to apply through a computer shop in front of the passport office. He alleged that substantial amounts of money were demanded to correct mistakes involving names, fathers' names, ages, and other information in application forms.
Another service seeker, Rahmat Ali, said, “I previously submitted my application myself twice, but it was returned both times. Today, I reached an agreement with a broker for Tk 2,800 and submitted my application without any hassle.”
College student Sabuj, who came from Senbagh, claimed that he submitted his application under an arrangement involving Tk 16,000 through an intermediary because he urgently needed a passport. He said he had previously heard about harassment at passport offices but had now experienced it firsthand.
An unnamed applicant from Manoharganj in Cumilla alleged that, after failing to obtain a passport through attempts in Cumilla and Lakshmipur, he submitted his application in Noakhali through an intermediary after paying an additional Tk 5,000. Similarly, a person identified by the pseudonym “Kashem,” who came from Laksam in Cumilla, said he had visited the passport office in his own district for several days without success. He claimed that he eventually managed to submit his application in Noakhali after paying an additional Tk 4,500.
Another unnamed individual from Cumilla Sadar South disclosed that he was facing two drug-related cases and claimed that, while out on bail, he sought assistance from an intermediary to apply for a passport and paid an additional Tk 9,000. However, these statements and allegations require independent verification. The existence of a criminal case or bail status alone does not establish that a person is legally ineligible for a passport; such eligibility must be assessed under the applicable laws and the circumstances of the individual case.
An unnamed applicant from Companiganj alleged that brokers contact relevant officials by phone when forwarding applications. According to him, different amounts are charged for regular and urgent passports, and applicants are told that a portion of the money will go to people associated with the office. However, independent evidence confirming such financial transactions has not been established in the information available.
Statements from several local applicants and businesspeople have also mentioned computer and studio businesses in Sonaimuri, Maijdee, and Begumganj. Some service seekers have alleged that Sufia Enterprise, located at Badruddoza Market opposite the food warehouse in Sonaimuri, collects additional money under the guise of providing passport application assistance and advice. The views of the businesses concerned should also be sought regarding these allegations.
A source associated with the passport office claimed that applicants from various districts, including Cumilla, Lakshmipur, and Feni, receive assistance in submitting applications through intermediaries connected to the Noakhali office. Allegations have also been raised concerning irregularities in correcting birth registration and National Identity Card (NID) information and processing passport applications. The source further claimed that a substantial proportion of daily applications are submitted through intermediaries. However, verifying these allegations would require examination of relevant documents, application procedures, and an investigation by the appropriate authorities.
When contacted regarding the allegations, Assistant Deputy Director Md. Nazmul Ahsan Habib denied the claims of irregularities against him and the office where he works. He said, “I am a junior officer here. My senior officer, Deputy Director Mehedi Hasan, is above me. We carry out our activities exactly as he directs us.” He advised contacting Deputy Director Mehedi Hasan for further comments.
Deputy Director Mehedi Hasan, meanwhile, said he had only recently joined the office. Responding to the allegations brought to his attention, he stated, “I will take appropriate official action against these irregularities as soon as possible.”
Service seekers have called for an end to the unrestricted activities of brokers around the passport office, the public display of official fees and service timelines, an effective complaint-handling mechanism, and an impartial investigation into the roles of the officials and employees concerned. They emphasized that citizens should be able to apply directly and receive government services without harassment or dependence on intermediaries.