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Letters to the Editor

Arrest masterminds of question paper leaks

Monday, 15 July 2024



It is deeply concerning to know about the widespread leaking of question papers for government recruitment exams, including the prestigious Bangladesh Civil Service exams, over the past 12 years. This alarming situation, disclosed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), underscores an unnerving crisis in the integrity of our public service recruitment processes.
According to the CID's findings, question papers for at least 30 government recruitment job exams have been leaked, tarnishing the credibility of these exams and undermining the trust of the public. The CID's recent operations, which led to the arrest of 17 individuals, including six officials of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC), have shed light on the extensive network involved in these leaks.
The arrested individuals have revealed a disturbing chain of events. Liton Sarkar, a private university student, was the first to be apprehended, leading to the arrest of several others, including Priyanath Roy, Zahidul Islam, Noman Siddiqui, PSC Deputy Director Jahangir Alam, Shahadat Hossain, Mamun, Niyamul, and Khalil. Each arrest has unveiled more details about the network's operations, implicating high-ranking officials such as PSC Assistant Director SM Alamgir Kabir and PSC Deputy Director Abu Zafar.
Despite these arrests, it is clear that many masterminds and key figures in this operation remain at large. The CID's ongoing efforts to apprehend these individuals are commendable, but it is imperative that the entire corrupt network is dismantled. The continued presence of these masterminds poses a significant threat to the fairness and integrity of future recruitment exams.
The impact of these leaks cannot be overstated. They have compromised the future of countless deserving candidates, eroded public trust in government institutions, and perpetuated a cycle of corruption. The arrests made thus far are a crucial step, but they must be followed up by rigorous and transparent legal proceedings to ensure that justice is served.
I urge the authorities to intensify their efforts to identify and arrest all individuals involved in this scandal, particularly the masterminds who orchestrated these leaks. Additionally, it is crucial to implement stringent measures to safeguard the integrity of future exams. This includes enhancing the security protocols around question paper preparation and distribution, conducting thorough background checks on all individuals involved in the process, and establishing a robust oversight mechanism to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Furthermore, we call upon the government to consider reforms that promote transparency and accountability within the PSC and other relevant bodies. Public confidence in the recruitment process can only be restored through decisive action and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity. We hope that through collective efforts, we can ensure a fair and just recruitment process that truly reflects the merit and capabilities of our citizens.

Jannatul Mawa Piya
Student
Stamford University