Photo : Messenger
Those who became BCS cadres by obtaining stolen questions are now being caught. Law enforcement agencies have placed hundreds of cadres under surveillance by creating a red list. Many who passed exams by paying large sums for leaked questions from the Abed Ali syndicate are now working in high positions in the administration. Intelligence agencies are particularly targeting those who got jobs through corruption in various BCS batches for their red list.
The exact number of cadres under administrative scrutiny is being kept secret. However, reliable sources in intelligence agencies say over 300 cadres have been placed on a list of suspects. Among them, at least 150 cadres are in the red zone.
Relevant sources say that for now, the arrest operation will continue targeting those involved in question leaks. The administration has already started field-level actions based on information obtained from detainees. CID officials involved in the investigation say that senior officials from PSC and several other government agencies, as well as officers who got jobs through leaked question papers, may be implicated based on banking transactions with the arrestees, information from seized mobile phones, and confessional statements.
Experts say that if it's conclusively proven that some became BCS cadres by resorting to unethical means and collecting stolen questions, they must be dismissed from service and brought to justice. Those who stole the dreams of hundreds of thousands of aspirants and are sitting in top positions meant for the meritorious are harming the country and the nation. Those who became cadres through stolen questions are involved in major corruption in the country. The government is getting a bad name because of them.
Investigation sources say that over the past 14 years, officials and employees of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) were involved in question paper leaks for 30 recruitment exams. The CID is investigating the case involving the arrest of 17 people, including two deputy directors, an assistant director, and two office assistants of PSC, in connection with these question leaks. CID intelligence teams are working in the field to arrest PSC officials and employees named in the confessional statements of six arrestees, officers who got jobs, and members of the syndicate who made money by selling question papers. Fifteen PSC officials are under surveillance, who used to manage exam booths and collect money. Additionally, several fugitives in the case have been identified and will be arrested at any time.
On Wednesday, a few important individuals in the Secretariat, on the condition of anonymity, told The Daily Messenger that panic has already spread among first-class officers in the administration. Those who are now in important positions after attending BCS exams by obtaining stolen questions are internally fearful. There are also concerns about whether the question leak issue might take a turn towards political implementation. This has spread fear among a section. A top official said that during Awami League's fourth term in power, many are working in important administrative first-class positions after winning on merit without being loyal to the party. Rumours have also spread about whether anyone is now being questioned by tagging them as BNP, Jamaat, or belonging to any other party.
Regarding this, Professor A K Azad Chowdhury, former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Dhaka University (DU) and Professor Emeritus, told The Daily Messenger, “If it's conclusively proven that some became BCS cadres by resorting to unethical means and collecting stolen questions, they must be dismissed from service and brought to justice. The punishment should be such that in the future, others will think several times before attempting such theft. It's unacceptable in any way that someone who stole questions to get a job will occupy the highest merit-based position in a country. If Abed Ali reveals names, not just as allegations but with specific evidence, strict action must be taken.”
Professor Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique, former VC of DU, told The Daily Messenger, “When a dishonest person talks about publishing a list, we must be extremely careful in examining how much truth can be found in that list. However, since he has mentioned publishing the list in court, the country's intelligence agencies and law enforcement must very carefully verify the names he provides. If anyone has indeed become a BCS cadre by obtaining stolen questions, strict measures must be taken against them. We must remember that a person who became a BCS cadre by collecting stolen questions will never work for the welfare of the state; the state will suffer more damage through them. Therefore, if individuals who became cadres through dishonest means are identified, they must be brought to justice.”
Upon investigation, it was found that although question leaks from PSC started long ago, they increased significantly in the 24th batch. Then, in the 25th batch, the issue of question leaks came to light. At that time, Mahfuzur Rahman was a member of PSC. He is currently serving a 13-year sentence in a corruption case. At that time, Syed Abed Ali was the driver of Mahfuzur Rahman. A syndicate was formed under Abed's leadership, whose job was to recruit customers.
Meanwhile, Syed Abed Ali, the former driver of the Public Service Commission (PSC) who amassed illegal assets worth crores of taka, has given a confession in court. He has revealed whom he made BCS cadres.
Regarding this, Himel Chakma, Additional Superintendent of Police of CID and the investigating officer of the case, said, “I don't want to comment on this right now.”
However, those involved in the investigation are saying that there are many in several batches of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination who became cadres by receiving answers to leaked questions through this syndicate. The information provided by the arrested members of the syndicate is being verified.
Messenger/Fameema
