A major scandal erupted in Rajshahi's Bagmara upazila after a local Union Parishad (UP) member was caught red-handed with 12 SIM cards used for collecting government disability allowances. The incident took place on Wednesday morning at a mobile financial service agent's shop in the Gobindpur union's Maria intersection, where enraged locals detained the public representative.
The accused, identified as Shahidul Islam, serves as the member of Ward No. 4 of Gobindpur UP and holds a political organizational post. According to local witnesses, Shahidul went to the mobile banking agent to withdraw cash using multiple SIM cards. Handing over ten cards while keeping two active in his personal phone raised immediate suspicion among bystanders who noticed the unusual bulk transaction for social safety net allowances.
Upon questioning, a heated argument ensued between the UP member and the local residents. Frustrated by the blatant corruption, locals searched him and uncovered the dozen SIM cards. Investigations by the upazila social services office earlier revealed that Shahidul had fraudulently registered himself as a person with disabilities, alongside including his father, sister, and brother-in-law in the beneficiary list.
The situation escalated as supporters of the accused member attempted to intervene, creating further tension in the area. Law enforcement personnel from the local police investigation center promptly rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. The recovered SIM cards were subsequently handed over to the union parishad chairman in the presence of locals.
Local residents have expressed deep outrage over the incident, demanding strict administrative action against the corrupt official and an overhaul of the beneficiary selection process. Authorities have assured that a thorough inquiry is underway, and appropriate legal steps will be taken against everyone involved in misappropriating government welfare funds.
