The DAM Foundation for Economic Development (DFED) has suspended its branch manager and a field officer in Chitalmari upazila of Bagerhat after a controversial incident involving the collection of a brass pot, nosepin, and ring from a housewife in place of loan payments.
The NGO also formed a three-member investigation committee to probe the matter and submit a report within seven working days.
The action came after widespread media reports on the incident.
On Tuesday morning, several officials from DFED visited the home of Shrabani Hira, the housewife at the centre of the controversy, and returned her belongings.
Speaking at around 4:00pm, Shrabani said, “After the news spread, several NGO officials came to my house, inquired about my family, and later took me to their office. They returned my brass pot, nosepin, ring, and the blank stamp papers I had signed earlier. I am satisfied with their behaviour and thankful to the journalists for helping me get justice.”
According to Touhidul Islam, DFED’s Zonal Manager for Narsingdi, the suspension order came directly from the NGO’s Chief Executive Officer Sardar Shahidul Kabir.
He added that the branch manager Basudev Debnath and field officer Newaz Sharif were temporarily relieved of duties pending investigation.
The probe committee includes Monirul Islam, Assistant Manager (Audit) as convener, and Md Khairul Islam, Zonal Manager (Narayanganj), along with Md Abdur Razzak, Coordinator (MIS), as members.
Touhidul Islam also mentioned that Shrabani voluntarily handed over the items earlier due to financial hardship. “She was not forced. Today she deposited Tk 9,500 to settle part of her dues and retrieved the items,” he said.
Shrabani had earlier taken a Tk 50,000 loan from the DFED Chitalmari branch. After her husband, Ripon Roy, left for work elsewhere, she defaulted on a few instalments.
On October 29, NGO staff reportedly took her to their office, obtained her signature on two blank stamp papers, and took her brass pot, nosepin, and ring.
The incident sparked outrage after media coverage, prompting DFED headquarters to intervene. The NGO said it is committed to ensuring accountability and fair treatment for all borrowers.
