Lives caught in a cycle of corruption

Bribery has become deeply embedded in everyday life in Bangladesh, affecting citizens at almost every stage — from birth to death. Securing even the most basic public services often requires unofficial payments beyond government fees. From birth certificates and death certificates to inheritance documents and other essential services, ordinary people are frequently compelled to pay extra money under the table. Corruption and irregularities have taken root across nearly every sector connected to citizens’ legal and fundamental rights, making daily life increasingly difficult for the public.

A child’s first formal recognition by the state comes through a birth registration certificate, yet obtaining this basic document often turns into a frustrating experience. Although the official fee is minimal, the influence of middlemen and the alleged involvement of some officials force applicants to pay several times more than the prescribed amount. Similar problems arise when families seek death certificates or inheritance documents after losing a relative. Across many public service offices, an unwritten practice appears to prevail — files do not move unless money changes hands.

Speaking to the media, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, said those involved in bribery networks must be held accountable.

“The government has repeatedly declared its position against corruption. Yet bribery, extortion and commission trading existed during the interim administration and continue even now. We had hoped these practices would end and that firm action would be taken against corruption. The state machinery has the ability to curb bribery and extortion if applied properly, but that is not happening because many beneficiaries of corruption are connected to power in one way or another — through politics, bureaucracy or other influential circles,” he said.

He further stressed that a clear message must come from the highest levels of government, warning that irregularities have become widespread. “If these practices are not brought under control immediately and exemplary punishment is not ensured, the situation will worsen further,” he added.

Citizens reportedly face some of the worst harassment while trying to correct or obtain passports and national identity cards. Applicants are often forced to make repeated visits over minor errors, while solutions allegedly remain difficult without paying brokers large sums of money. Such practices are said to have become routine in passport offices.

Several service seekers at the Jatrabari Regional Passport Office alleged last Tuesday that officials subjected applicants to unnecessary questioning if they attempted to submit forms without brokers. Even after multiple corrections, applications were allegedly rejected on various grounds, leaving many applicants with little choice but to seek help from brokers to avoid prolonged suffering.

When this correspondent approached a broker while posing as a service seeker, a man identified as Saiful Haque allegedly demanded between Tk2,000 and Tk5,000 beyond the official fee to resolve routine issues. He also claimed that major corrections, including age changes or passport modifications based on new national identity information, could cost anywhere from Tk50,000 to over Tk100,000.

A service seeker named Arafat from Kadamtali said his application was initially rejected. Later, after paying Tk2,000 to a broker outside the office gate, he re-entered the office, stood in line again and successfully submitted the application.

Allegations of corruption are not limited to passport offices. Patients seeking treatment at government hospitals also reportedly encounter widespread irregularities. Complaints include demands for extra payments for hospital beds, medical tests, operation schedules and ambulance services. Patients and their relatives allege that ward attendants often demand money before arranging beds, while securing an ICU bed has become nearly impossible without influence or unofficial payments.

Bribery is also reportedly widespread in registry offices, land offices and sub-registry offices. Citizens allege that extra payments are routinely demanded for land mutation, correction of land records and deed registration in addition to official fees. Getting approval for land-related files without paying bribes has become almost unimaginable.

Last Monday, Mohammad Ali of Goran in Khilgaon visited the Tejgaon Land Registry Office for a service. He alleged that officials demanded a significant amount beyond the government fee, forcing him to negotiate through a third party before eventually paying extra money to complete the process.

The ordeal often begins with birth registration itself. Many union parishads and municipal offices allegedly demand additional payments beyond official fees, while applications frequently remain pending for long periods unless extra money is paid.

Shahadat Hossain, a resident of Mirbagh in Dhaka, applied for his son’s birth registration at the Dhaka North City Corporation regional office on 14 May. Under normal procedures, the registration should have been completed within two or three days. However, after failing to receive the document, he contacted a computer shop operator named Saiful and obtained the registration within a day after paying Tk1,200.

Another applicant, Rafiqul, said he had to visit the office several times before finally receiving the document quickly after paying extra money through a broker.

Suraiya Begum, who visited the same office for services, expressed frustration, saying: “I never realised there is no peace even from birth until after death when dealing with these offices. I have been running around for three months because of a minor mistake. In the end, the work was completed only after paying extra money to a broker.”

Speaking to the media, Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of SHUJAN, said the government must take strict measures to stop bribery in public services.

“Those involved in these crimes must face exemplary punishment. Citizens must also become more aware,” he said, adding, “If we are forced to return to the old system again, then the sacrifices of so many martyrs will have been in vain.”

Obtaining a driving licence from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority or registering a new vehicle has also reportedly become closely associated with bribery. Despite repeated initiatives to eliminate corruption, bribery in these services remains an open secret. Similar allegations exist in flat registration and land mutation processes, where applicants are often harassed over documentation unless extra payments are made.

Beyond these services, citizens also allege facing demands for bribes when seeking unmarried, widow or widower certificates; inclusion in lists for the landless and destitute; old-age, widow and disability allowances; freedom fighter allowances; VGD, VGF and Kabikha card services; land record extraction; e-mutation applications; small and cottage industry loans; and even legal support related to dowry and violence against women. Without paying bribes, ordinary people often find themselves trapped in prolonged harassment and bureaucratic suffering.