Food inspector held for embezzlement of 250 tonnes of rice

Police have detained a Upazila Food Inspector for allegedly removing 250 tonnes of rice from Rasulpur food warehouse in Ghazaria of Munshiganj. Syed Safiul Azam was detained for questioning in this regard on Thursday (March 21).  The market value of the rice is more than Tk1.15 crore, said officials concerned.

Ghazaria Upazila Food Control Officer Anwar Parvez said: "After taking charges, I visited Rasulpur food warehouse on March 19. At this time, during the inspection of building No. 4, I saw that the amount of stored rice was very less. The amount of stocked rice is supposed to be 431 metric tonnes but in reality much less is available. After investigation, I found that many sacks were removed from here. But, there was no signature in the warehouse attendance book since March 12. I informed the matter in written form to my superior authority and upazila executive officer. Food Inspector Syed Safiul Azam has has been brought under the law in this incident. We are investigating whether anyone else is involved in this matter."

Ghazaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kohinur Akhtar said: "The newly joined Upazila Food Control Officer informed me in writing. A large discrepancy was found in the quantity of rice stocked in the warehouse. Syed Shafiul Azam, the food inspector in charge of the warehouse, has been taken into police custody."

Ghazaria Police Station OC Rajib Khan said, according to the instructions of the upazila administration, police have taken an officer into custody on Thursday.

A case has been filed against him at Ghazaria police station. He will be produced in court on Friday (March 22).