Gazi Gias Uddin Bashir, Jhalakathi Correspondent: Government offices are supposed to be closed on public holidays. But a different picture was seen at the Jhalakathi Municipal Land Office last Friday night. Around 11 pm, the lights were on inside the office, although the door was locked from the inside. After knocking several times, the person inside asked, “Who, what do you need?” Later, Tehsildar Md. Abul Bashar opened the door. At that time, he was found alone in the office.
Earlier, at around 9 pm on the same night, two men were seen talking to the tehsildar with papers in hand in front of the office. Sensing the presence of media personnel, they quickly left the area.
Later, with the permission of the Tahsildar, three media personnel entered the office. The entire incident was captured on a hidden camera, the video of which has been preserved.
Working on government documents at night
Tehsildar Abul Bashar was seen working on government documents in his office. When asked why he was in the office at night, he said, “I may have work to do, I am working. What is your problem with that?”
He said that due to his additional responsibilities, he has to go to various offices including the Deputy Commissioner’s office and the Settlement Office. As a result, it is not possible to complete all the work during regular office hours.
However, when asked about working alone with government documents outside office hours, he said, “If you have a problem, I will no longer work at night serving the public.”
Complaints about service users coming and going at night
Several service recipients have complained that they are often called to the office in the evening or at night to work instead of during the day. They claim that during this time, they are also charged extra money beyond the government-set fee.
When asked whether service recipients come to the office at night, Abul Bashar initially denied the matter. Later, when presented with evidence, he said, “People can come to me, just like you have come.”
At one point in the conversation, he requested that the matter not be escalated further. At the same time, he also tried to give cash to the media personnel present to cover the cost of tea and breakfast.
Locals’ commentary
Some businessmen from the Barochala area adjacent to the land office, who did not wish to be named, said that the tehsildar is often seen staying in the office until late at night. Sometimes, people come to meet him from 12 am to 1 am. However, they have no idea what kind of activities are conducted there.
Complaint of overcharging
The allegations of extortion against Md. Abul Bashar are not new.
A resident of Kamarpatti area alleged that he was initially asked to pay Rs 10,000 for the transfer of his father’s land. Later, the work was completed after he paid Rs 5,000. The same person further alleged that goods worth more than Rs 2,000 were taken from their shop but the price was not paid.
He claims that when asked why the government registration fee is Tk 1,170, he was told, “We have to cross many tables to get the work done.”
In addition, in a written complaint submitted to the Jhalokati Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) on April 16, 2026, a service recipient mentioned that although six thousand taka was charged from him for registration of name, only 1 thousand 100 taka was mentioned in the government receipt.
Administration statement
Jhalokati Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) S. M. Mehedi Hasan said that the complaint received in April is under investigation.
He said, “Officers and employees can work on holidays or after-hours for official needs. However, it is not legal to provide services to any service recipient during those hours.”
He further said that if the investigation finds the allegations to be true, necessary administrative action will be taken against the person concerned.
Demand for good governance
Satyaban Sen Gupta, president of the Conscious Citizens Committee (Sanak), Jhalakathi, said that land services are one of the most important government services for the common man. It is necessary to impartially investigate allegations of irregularities, corruption or excessive collection of money in this sector and take action against those responsible. At the same time, he emphasized on ensuring transparency, accountability and quality of service in the land office.
Meanwhile, a new discussion has begun among locals regarding the issue of keeping government offices open on holiday nights, complaints about the presence of service recipients during those hours, and allegations of overcharging. All eyes are now on the administration’s ongoing investigation to determine the veracity of the allegations.
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