E-Passport Fraud Fallout: Programmer Faces Penalty

An assistant programmer at the Department of Immigration and Passports has been penalized after allegations of fraud and irregularities in the e-passport issuance process were proven. Hasanuzzaman, Assistant Programmer at the Data and Personalization Centre, has been demoted by one step in the salary grade for one year. His monthly salary has been reduced by Tk 1,710.

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Discipline-4 Branch issued a notification on Thursday, 20 November, announcing the punishment.

According to the notification signed by Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry, Nasimul Gani, an individual named Enayet Ullah used another person’s MRP passport number—belonging to Liton Mia—to apply for an e-passport by changing his own name, his parents’ names, and date of birth. After the e-passport was issued in the name of Enayet Ullah based on this application, Liton Mia’s original MRP passport was cancelled.

Investigations revealed that despite the applicant’s facial image and fingerprints being completely mismatched in the ABIS software used in the application process, the system did not reject it. Instead, Assistant Programmer Hasanuzzaman used his user ID to release and approve the EID.

A departmental case was also filed on 27 May against office assistant-cum-computer typist Sakibur Rahman for his involvement in the incident, and his personal hearing has been completed.

Later, a committee headed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Abu Kawsar examined all documents, testimonies, and technical data, and concluded that the misconduct was proven under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. The committee recommended a minor penalty.

Based on the investigation report and relevant rules, Hasanuzzaman’s salary has been reduced from Tk 35,888 to Tk 34,170, effectively demoting him by one grade. After one year he may return to his previous salary scale, but he will not receive any arrears, the notification added.

DBTech/MUIM/OR