Dhaka, June 25 (V7N) - In a startling allegation, Dr Mahmuda Mitu, a physician and member of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has reportedly been asked to pay Tk 100,000 to obtain a “clearance” from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)—despite having no corruption allegations against her.

Hassanat Abdullah, joint organizing secretary for the NCP’s southern region, posted on his verified Facebook page that ACC Director General Aktar, along with a Deputy Director, contacted Dr Mahmuda Mitu and demanded the payment, ostensibly for a routine clearance. According to Hassanat, the officials justified the demand by saying, “The ACC’s minimum rate is Tk 100,000. If you refuse, we can publish allegations against you.”

He claims that the demand came right after Dr Mitu joined Red Crescent on August 5, asserting: “They said you’re a doctor, you must have money. Just pay Tk 100,000 and go get your clearance.”

Hassanat expresses disbelief that such routine transactions are being treated as fixed payments. “If they’re charging Tk 100,000 for a cup of tea to individuals like Dr Mitu, just imagine how much they’ve extracted from corrupt officials from the Awami League era,” he said.

He urged Dr Mitu to publish the phone recordings of the calls—she has since released three videos—proving she paid no bribe. He warned, however: “Countless ordinary citizens have likely been coerced into paying for these ‘tea bills.’”

Hassanat criticized ACC’s selective prosecution, alleging, “ACC harassed Khaleda Zia and many opposition leaders under Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, yet they ignored billions of taka in corruption by Awami League officials.” He added, “We hoped the ACC would reform after August 5, but instead, they’ve begun charging Tk 100,000 for tea.”

He questioned whether Bangladeshis died in July fighting to uphold this practice: “Is this what the people gave their lives for?”

Hassanat concluded with the NCP’s demand: ACC should make public any corruption accusation against Dr Mitu or anyone else. “If you have evidence,” he said, “file a case and hand them over to the law. Don’t extort innocent people. Don’t threaten them with false news if they don’t pay.”

Highlighting his vision for a renewed Bangladesh post-fascism, Hassanat warned that ACC’s “old ways” threaten the dream of a new nation. “If we cannot break this bureaucratic fang, the dream of a new Bangladesh will be lost—and so will we.”

END/SMA/AJ/