Boalmari Land Officer Suspended After Bribe Video Goes Viral in Faridpur

A land official in Faridpur's Boalmari upazila has been temporarily suspended after a video of him accepting a bribe from a service seeker went viral on social media.

Imran Sheikh, the Deputy Assistant Officer of the Satair-Kh Union Land Office was suspended on charges of misconduct and corruption under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.

Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Mazharul Islam issued the official suspension order on Sunday, following an immediate memorandum from the Boalmari Assistant Commissioner (Land). According to the directive Sheikh will receive a standard subsistence allowance during his suspension period as per government regulations.

The swift administrative action was triggered after a two-minute and 22-second video surfaced on Facebook on Sunday afternoon. In the footage, Sheikh is seen sitting at his office desk and openly counting bribe money handed over by a local citizen seeking land-related services.

Adding to the controversy, the video captured Sheikh making inappropriate and boastful remarks about his superior, the Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land). Comparing their career trajectories, Sheikh is heard saying, "He is also from the 40th BCS and I am also from the 40th BCS. Good for him that he became a cadre while I became a non-cadre."

The incident has sparked widespread public criticism online with prompting district authorities to take immediate disciplinary measures to ensure accountability and maintain public trust in local government services.