ACC probes alleged corruption in DNCC Walkie-Talkie purchase
The probe will examine the supplier’s eligibility, tender process, pricing and possible misuse of public funds in the procurement.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to conduct a full-fledged investigation into allegations of irregularities and corruption in the purchase of walkie-talkies by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), involving possible wastage and embezzlement of public funds.
The decision was taken at an ACC commission meeting today (7 September), ACC Public Relations Officer and Deputy Director Md Akhtarul Islam confirmed.
The commission has appointed a deputy director as the investigation officer and a director as the supervising officer to conduct the probe.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to ACC documents, a local company was awarded the contract to supply walkie-talkies to DNCC despite allegedly lacking the required experience stipulated in the tender conditions. The company is also accused of using a certificate from a Chinese firm to establish its eligibility for the tender.
The ACC documents further state that DNCC purchased the walkie-talkies at prices several times higher than those paid by other government agencies.
The allegations suggest that public funds were wasted and that some DNCC officials may have manipulated the procurement process for personal gain, prompting the ACC to conduct an enforcement operation at DNCC on 17 August 2025 to verify the allegations, with a team from the ACC headquarters carrying out the operation.
During the drive, the ACC team spoke with DNCC's chief engineer, supervising engineers and executive engineers and collected important documents and records related to the purchase of the walkie-talkies.
After reviewing the documents and preliminary information gathered during the operation, the ACC found that the purchase prices appeared to be several times higher than those paid by other government agencies, prompting the commission to order a full investigation.
The investigation will examine the entire procurement process, including the tender procedure, the eligibility of the supplier, the validity of the certificates submitted, the actual market price of the equipment and the amount paid by DNCC.
Investigators will also determine whether any irregularities or abuse of power occurred during the procurement process, whether the government suffered any financial loss, and whether individuals or companies involved bear responsibility.
If the allegations are substantiated, legal action will be taken against those responsible, according to the ACC.
