Service seekers allege that the Gopalganj Regional Passport Office has become a hotbed of various irregularities and corruption. No desired service is available without a bribe. Furthermore, ordinary service seekers who protest are subjected to gross mistreatment and a lack of cooperation. Consequently, people traveling from far and wide for this essential service are forced to turn to a network of middlemen. When applying for a passport through standard procedures, ordinary citizens often fail to submit their applications despite making repeated visits over several days.

Yet, services are easily obtained if a secret financial arrangement is made. Passports are received in a very short time. Such allegations are circulating widely among the public. There is widespread discussion and criticism across the Gopalganj district regarding the rampant irregularities and corruption at the passport office. However, the officials and staff of the Gopalganj Regional Passport Office remain unconcerned about the matter. They claim that this is merely a habit of the general public; even when good work is done, some people spread negative propaganda.

Utpal Mridha, Simla Rani Biswas, Prabir Biswas Raju, and Karuna Rani Biswas—who fell victim to harassment and extreme suffering—told the “Daily Morning Glory”: “Despite following the rules and attaching all necessary documents, we could not submit our passport applications even after visiting repeatedly.” The applications were repeatedly rejected citing various errors. “Later, we submitted the applications through a middleman in exchange for money and finally received the delivery slip.” “This is a syndicate run by the passport office officials and staff.”

“First, they reject the application by pointing out errors; it is only deemed correct when submitted with a bribe through their appointed middlemen. Concerned citizens and service seekers alike hope that the relevant authorities will conduct a fair investigation, take swift action against those involved in the irregularities and corruption, and thereby streamline this essential service sector. When asked about these allegations, Nahid Newaz, Assistant Director (AD) of the Gopalganj Regional Passport Office, stated, “I cannot make any statement to journalists without the permission of higher authorities.”