Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today announced the arrest of a customs officer and an NGO worker at the Belapole land border on charges of bribery. The customs department’s revenue officer, Shamima Akter, was detained in western Jashore for allegedly accepting bribes from clearing and forwarding agents at the border port with India.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain confirmed the arrest of Akter and detailed that an ACC team had earlier apprehended NGO worker Hasibur Rahman. Rahman was arrested at the Benapole Custom House complex and is suspected of collecting bribes on behalf of Akter.
ACC’s deputy director in Jashore, Al Amin, who is serving as the investigation officer in the case, stated that the ACC plans to request a court to remand Akter and Rahman for further interrogation. The arrests followed the seizure of Tk.2.76 lakh from Rahman, a day before Akter’s arrest.
Amin has filed a case against both individuals under sections 161, 162, 163, 164, 165A, and 109 of the Penal Code, along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.