A suspected proxy candidate has been handed over to police after officials at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Land uncovered an alleged recruitment fraud during the final appointment process. The individual reportedly sat the recruitment examination in place of the genuine candidate and later attempted to join the ministry using that candidate’s identity.
The incident came to light on 4 October 2026, when ministry officials carried out a detailed verification of the identities and documents of newly appointed employees. The suspected impersonator was subsequently handed over to Shahbagh Police Station, and preparations are under way to file a criminal case against him.
The recruitment exercise was conducted to fill 37 vacant posts across seven categories, covering grades 11 to 20, through direct recruitment. Candidates had to complete preliminary, written and oral examinations before the final selection was made. Following the completion of all stages, appointment letters were issued to successful candidates on 13 August 2026.
In accordance with the instructions and conditions set out in their appointment letters, 34 candidates submitted their joining letters to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land on 1 October 2026. Although an initial verification of their identities and documents was carried out during the joining process, the ministry undertook a further examination three days later to ensure that all appointments were genuine.
During the renewed scrutiny on 4 October, officials identified significant inconsistencies concerning an individual claiming to be Md Ma i dul Islam, son of Md Abdul Hai and Mosleha Begum, from Tetulia village in Kaliganj Upazila of Lalmonirhat district. His examination roll number was 17002707.
The discrepancies emerged when officials compared the individual’s appearance with the photograph and biometric information preserved from his oral examination. The differences were considered substantial enough to raise serious doubts about whether the person who had appeared for the recruitment examination was the same individual who had arrived to join the ministry.
Further verification strengthened the suspicion. Officials compared the handwriting of the individual with the sample collected during the oral examination and found significant inconsistencies. Handwriting samples, photographs and identity records are among the materials that can help recruitment authorities establish whether a candidate has personally completed the required stages of a selection process.
The ministry then conducted an additional identity check in the presence of the other newly appointed employees. Those present failed to recognise the individual as Md Ma i dul Islam. The person himself was also unable to recognise any of the other candidates who had arrived to join the ministry.
Taken together, the discrepancies in photographs, biometric information, handwriting and personal identification led officials to conclude provisionally that someone other than the genuine candidate had taken the recruitment examination. The individual subsequently appeared for the joining process using the successful candidate’s identity, allegedly attempting to secure the appointment through impersonation.
The ministry treated the incident as a serious offence, stressing that fraudulent practices undermine the transparency, impartiality and credibility of public-sector recruitment. Allowing one person to sit an examination on behalf of another can compromise the merit-based selection process and deprive genuine candidates of a fair opportunity to compete for public employment.
Following the discovery, the suspected impersonator was immediately handed over to Shahbagh Police Station through Sub-Inspector Md Abul Kalam. The ministry is preparing to initiate criminal proceedings against him under the relevant legal provisions.
The Ministry of Land has reiterated its zero-tolerance position towards corruption, deception and examination fraud in public-sector recruitment. It has also stated that strict monitoring, accountability and identity verification will continue at every stage of future recruitment exercises.
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining robust verification procedures beyond the examination stage. Even after candidates have passed preliminary, written and oral assessments and received appointment letters, their identities must be confirmed before they are formally allowed to assume public duties.
By identifying the alleged impersonation during the joining process, the ministry has demonstrated how cross-checking examination records, photographs, handwriting samples and personal details can help detect irregularities that might otherwise go unnoticed. The case is now set to move into the legal process, where further investigation will establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud and determine individual responsibility.
