How the Culture of Bribery Is Undermining Justice and Governance

Bribery has become an inseparable part of daily life, often disguised under the harmless name of “tea and snack expenses.” It refers to the act of giving or receiving an undue advantage to influence the performance of an official duty. What was once considered a moral corruption has now become normalized social behavior. The system has grown so deep-rooted that many citizens believe no service, legal or otherwise, can be completed without paying a bribe. This normalization represents not just legal decay but a collapse of ethical values.

Section 161 of the Penal Code 1860 defines bribery as any form of advantage, money, gift, or favor, accepted by a public servant in exchange for performing or omitting to perform an official duty. It also includes acts of favoritism or bias toward any individual in the exercise of official power. In this section, bribery is a punishable offense with up to three years of rigorous imprisonment, fine, or both. Despite this clear provision, the practice continues largely unchecked due to weak enforcement and institutional negligence.

Section 162 extends the scope of bribery beyond government officials. It penalizes any person who accepts or offers a bribe to illegally influence a public servant’s decision. This includes intermediaries who claim to manage official work in exchange for money. The punishment is similar three years of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, or fine, or both. This section aims to capture the entire network of corruption that often surrounds administrative activities, ensuring that both the bribe-taker and the bribe-giver are held accountable.

Section 165A of the Penal Code deals with the crime of instigation. If any person incites or attempts to induce a public servant to accept a bribe, they are equally guilty, even if the bribery does not actually take place. This provision is crucial because it closes the loophole where individuals could escape punishment by claiming that no transaction occurred. The section makes clear that even an attempt or offer of bribery is a criminal act, punishable by up to three years of imprisonment or fine, or both.

Despite strict legal provisions, bribery has become normalized in society. Citizens often justify giving bribes as a necessary part of getting things done. In many offices, officials openly demand extra payments, and citizens, to avoid delay or harassment, willingly comply. This attitude has transformed bribery from an exception into a routine expectation. It has become so embedded in administrative culture that many people no longer view it as corruption but as a service charge or a customary practice. Such normalization has deeply eroded public morality.

The roots of bribery lie in a complex combination of social, administrative, and psychological factors. When citizens face long delays, complex bureaucratic procedures, and humiliation while seeking legitimate services, they often resort to bribery to avoid stress. On the other hand, many government employees view bribes as a supplement to their low salaries. Over time, both sides have accepted this as an unwritten rule. The real tragedy lies in how ordinary citizens have come to see corruption as a “shortcut” rather than a crime.

Bribery has far-reaching economic consequences for Bangladesh. It discourages foreign investment, increases the cost of public projects, and undermines trust in government institutions. When bribes are required to access basic services such as healthcare, education, or land registration, it directly affects the poor and middle class, widening social inequality. Bribery distorts fair competition, allowing inefficient individuals to gain advantages through money or connections, thereby weakening the nation’s economic and administrative integrity.

The structure of bureaucracy itself contributes significantly to the persistence of bribery. Many government offices operate through lengthy paperwork and outdated systems, which create opportunities for officials to exploit citizens. Lack of accountability, poor supervision, and limited digitalization have made the environment fertile for corruption. In addition, political interference often protects corrupt officials from facing punishment. As a result, the anti-corruption laws exist largely on paper, while the culture of bribery continues unhindered in practice.

Bangladesh has several laws and institutions to combat bribery, including the Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). However, their effectiveness depends on implementation, not existence. Many cases remain pending for years, allowing offenders to escape justice. To make anti-corruption measures effective, transparency in government recruitment, tendering, and service delivery must be ensured. Independent investigation and judicial integrity are equally vital to uphold the spirit of justice.

While law enforcement is essential, eradicating bribery also requires moral reform. People must realize that bribery harms everyone by destroying fairness and merit. Education systems should include anti-corruption values and ethical reasoning from an early stage. Civil society, media, and educational institutions must collectively promote a culture of honesty, integrity, and public accountability. Only through continuous awareness and moral transformation can citizens resist the temptation to use bribes as an easy solution.

One effective way to reduce bribery is to minimize direct interaction between officials and citizens through digital governance. Online applications, e-payment systems, and automated approvals can reduce opportunities for corruption. The success of the online passport and tax systems shows how digital processes can increase transparency. Moreover, data-driven monitoring can help identify irregularities and patterns of corruption. Therefore, expanding e-governance at every administrative level is essential to building a corruption-resistant system.

To eliminate bribery, Bangladesh must act decisively through both government initiatives and public participation. Laws must be enforced impartially, and ethical standards must be reintroduced in public administration. The mindset that “nothing moves without money” must be replaced by the belief that honesty leads to progress. Social shame, media activism, and strong citizen movements can bring long-term change. Eradicating bribery is not only a legal requirement but also a moral and civic duty. Only by strengthening the bond of trust between the government and its citizens can Bangladesh achieve the vision of a truly just and corruption-free nation.


MD. Noor Hamza Peash is a legal
 researcher and a freelance columnist.