World · Bangladesh Bureau
Official Issues Notice Over Alleged Extortion for Basic Service
A local official has been directed to investigate after a viral video alleged that citizens were being charged Tk 70,000 for a service that costs only Tk 1,150. The incident has raised fresh concerns about corruption in government service delivery.
LSN Bangladesh ·

A tehsildar has been issued a formal notice to investigate allegations of extortion following the circulation of a video that exposed a massive disparity between official service charges and amounts allegedly demanded from citizens.
According to the complaint, residents seeking a basic service valued at Tk 1,150 were reportedly being coerced into paying Tk 70,000, approximately 60 times the legitimate fee. The video documenting the incident gained significant traction on social media platforms, prompting swift administrative action.
The tehsildar's office has launched a probe into the matter to identify those responsible for the alleged unauthorized collection. Preliminary investigations will focus on whether government employees or intermediaries were involved in demanding the excessive payments from service seekers.
This incident adds to ongoing concerns about informal charges and corruption in local government offices across the country. Officials have pledged to ensure that service delivery follows established fee structures and that citizens are protected from exploitation.
The investigation is expected to yield findings within the coming weeks, with potential disciplinary action against implicated officials.