The cyber crime unit of the Detective Branch (DB) of police has arrested Tareque M Barkatullah, the former director of the data center of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), in a case filed over allegations of leaking and selling citizens’ national identity (NID) data.
Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), confirmed the matter today (9 October) in a press conference at the DMP Media Center.
“Over 110 million Bangladeshi citizens’ personal information stored in the Election Commission’s data centre was stolen. Initial reports suggest transactions worth Tk20,000 crore over this incident,” he said.
“The former director of the data centre, Tareque M Barkatullah, has been arrested in connection with this data theft. Additionally, a case has been filed with Kafrul Police Station in the capital regarding this incident, naming 19 individuals,” Talebur added.
He also mentioned that another 15-20 suspects were involved in the theft.
During the press conference, it was also said a syndicate has been selling information to various domestic and international agencies for the past five years since 2019.
A company named Digicon Global Services Limited is involved in the sale of this information, according to police.
Earlier on the day, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former data center director Tareque M Barkatullah and 16 others were sued over allegations of leaking and selling citizens’ NID information.
