TDS Desk:

The spectre of corruption continues to haunt land offices across Bangladesh despite repeated efforts to reform the sector. While the government has introduced various initiatives to establish a digital land management system and ensure hassle-free services, corruption and irregularities remain rampant in land offices nationwide.

Land services have effectively been held hostage by broker networks, forcing citizens to wait months for routine services such as mutation, land tax payments, surveys, field records and corrections to land records. Yet those willing to pay a specified sum often receive swift solutions. Reports from correspondents who visited land offices in Dhaka and other parts of the country reveal a disturbing picture of public harassment.

Victims allege that a section of dishonest officials and employees, in collusion with broker syndicates, has created an unofficial network where financial transactions carry more weight than regulations. As a result, even legitimate landowners face uncertainty and anxiety when dealing with land records, mutation applications and land tax matters.

In Rangpur, allegations have surfaced that the same plot of land was registered in the names of two separate parties. Local residents have also accused Rafiqul Islam, an employee of the Satgara Union Land Office, of facilitating the forcible occupation of land in Parbatipur Mouza within the metropolitan area. There are further allegations that attempts were made to seize land by creating fraudulent heirs. Although investigations have been conducted, public frustration is mounting due to the lack of visible action.

In addition, despite petitions submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and various government departments regarding allegations that ownership of the same land in Alamnagar Mouza of Sadar Upazila was granted to two different parties through separate mutation records, no resolution has yet been reached. Dolash Kanti Nag, a lawyer at Rangpur Judge Court and convener of the Metropolitan Citizens’ Committee, said that a section of corrupt land office officials and staff are harassing people in various ways. He described corruption in land offices as a major source of suffering for ordinary citizens and called for strict government action.

Serious allegations of harassment have also emerged regarding the ongoing land survey programme in Meherpur. Landowners claim that files are being deliberately delayed for days or even weeks on the pretext of minor discrepancies. However, work is completed quickly when applications are submitted through brokers. There are also allegations of demands for payments beyond official fees. Although an investigation committee was formed following accusations that a land official at Bamundi Union Land Office in Gangni Upazila had used an outsider to collect bribes, no effective action has yet been observed. Applicants further allege that they are being prevented from meeting officials directly and are instead being compelled to communicate through designated intermediaries for services related to mutation, land tax and land deeds.

Meherpur Deputy Commissioner Shilpi Rani Roy, however, said that all land offices in the district had been instructed not to allow the entry of outside brokers. She added that mobile courts were being conducted to eliminate broker activities.

In Bogura, members of the public have also reported severe difficulties linked to digital survey operations. Despite possessing valid land documents, applicants are repeatedly asked to submit additional paperwork. Allegations include files being withheld, errors being inserted into records and extra money being demanded under the guise of hearings unless payments are made.

Many landowners said they were being harassed despite having valid CS, SA and RS records, deeds, mutation certificates and tax receipts, with officials claiming their documents were “incomplete” or “incorrect”. Some have alleged that efforts are being made to transfer land records into the names of other individuals in exchange for substantial sums of money. Recently, Abu Sayeed Helal of Malgram in Bogura city visited the Fapor Union Land Office in Sadar Upazila to settle land tax matters. Officials identified errors in his documents. After considerable effort to correct them and submit the papers to the Sadar Land Office, further mistakes were allegedly identified. He claimed that landowners are subjected to various forms of harassment in order to extract money.

In Kushtia, the Bangladesh Digital Survey (BDS) programme has generated both optimism and concern. Many landowners complain that they are not being informed how land boundaries are determined during surveys. Although measurements are taken using modern equipment, landowners are often not consulted. When they seek clarification, they are simply instructed to contact the office. Local residents warn that a lack of transparency in such an important process could lead to new disputes and legal cases in the future. Many fear that without proper oversight, digital surveys may become another avenue for corruption.

Officials concerned have denied allegations of irregularities and bribery. They maintain that documents are being verified in accordance with regulations and that applicants are informed whenever discrepancies require correction.

Land experts describe land administration as one of the country’s most sensitive sectors. They warn that unless transparency and accountability are ensured, public suffering will increase, while social conflicts and legal disputes over land will continue to grow. Bangladesh already faces a substantial backlog of land-related cases, with legal proceedings often spanning generations. Experts caution that errors in land surveys could further complicate the situation. They stress that surveyors found guilty of misconduct must face strict disciplinary action. Alongside digital services, they emphasise the need for stronger anti-corruption measures at the field level, the dismantling of broker networks and swift punitive action against officials and employees found responsible for wrongdoing.

Source: Bangladesh Pratidin