A mobile court in Boalmari, Faridpur, sentenced a man to one month in prison for impersonating a VAT official on Monday. The incident coincided with separate extortion allegations against an actual Customs, Excise, and VAT department constable, sparking concern among local traders.
Swapan Ghosh, 56, was convicted under Section 188 of the Penal Code by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Shibbir Ahmed. According to court sources, Ghosh visited a printing press in Boalmari Municipal Market, claiming to be an official from the Faridpur VAT office.
He allegedly demanded money for "VAT arrears" and had previously collected 8,000 BDT in two installments. Suspicion arose when Ghosh failed to produce a valid identity card. Local traders detained him and handed him over to the police.
"Action was taken immediately once the allegations of using a fake identity to defraud traders were proven," said Executive Magistrate Md. Shibbir Ahmed.
In a separate incident at Satair Bazar, businessman Prant Saha accused Mustain Shah Mamun, a constable of the Customs, Excise, and VAT Department, of demanding 30,000 BDT. Saha alleged that Mamun threatened him with a VAT evasion case worth 5 to 7 lakh BDT if the bribe was not paid.
Saha claimed the constable later lowered the demand to 15,000 BDT. When local traders intervened, they detained Mamun and informed the police.
Constable Mamun has denied the claims, stating he was in Boalmari on official duty. "The businessman offered me money, which I refused. I was later humiliated, and police had to rescue me after verifying my identity with higher authorities," he said.
Local residents have noted that Swapan Ghosh (the fake official) occasionally used Mamun’s name to intimidate others. Business leaders in Boalmari are now calling for a high-level investigation to determine if there is a connection between the two men and to ensure the protection of local traders.
