Law enforcement agencies have arrested seventeen individuals in coordinated operations in Kurigram’s Nageshwari and the city of Rajshahi, uncovering an organised network accused of leaking examination materials and supplying answers through illicit means during the primary school teacher recruitment examination. Among those detained is a local political figure, adding a sensitive dimension to an already serious breach of public examination integrity.
In Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram, police detained eleven suspects on Friday afternoon from a residence located adjacent to an examination centre. According to officials, the group was preparing to relay answers using specialised electronic devices when the raid was conducted. One of the detainees was identified as a proxy candidate, allegedly sitting or preparing to sit the examination on behalf of another applicant.
The detainees include Minarul Islam, joint convener of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) unit in Bhamandanga Union. He is also reported to be a potential BNP candidate in the forthcoming union parishad elections. Police sources confirmed that his political affiliation is being noted as part of the investigation, though the case itself centres on alleged examination fraud.
Other detainees hail from different unions and districts, suggesting a wider network operating beyond a single locality. Officers recovered digital communication devices, along with photocopies of question papers and prepared answer sheets, indicating premeditation and technical coordination.
Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Hil Jaman stated that the operation was launched following credible intelligence. Six suspects were initially apprehended from the house near the examination centre, with five more detained shortly afterwards, bringing the total to eleven. The recovered materials, he added, would be examined by forensic experts to determine the full scope of the operation.
In a parallel development, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police arrested six members of a separate but related syndicate accused of leaking examination questions. Acting on intelligence, police carried out late-night raids on Thursday at Malopara, near a community bank ATM booth, and outside Srishti School in the city’s Upashahar area. The suspects were detained from different locations, reinforcing suspicions of a well-organised ring operating across districts.
Deputy Commissioner Gazior Rahman of the RMP media wing confirmed that a range of incriminating items had been seized. These included blank stamped papers signed by examinees, unsigned bank cheques, admission cards, photocopies of national identity cards, and seven mobile phones believed to have been used for coordination and communication.
Preliminary findings suggest that the syndicate collected advance payments and personal documents from candidates, promising guaranteed success through leaked questions or live answer transmission. Authorities say further arrests may follow as investigations continue.
Key Details of the Arrests
| Location | Number Arrested | Notable Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Nageshwari, Kurigram | 11 | Proxy candidate, digital devices, question and answer copies |
| Rajshahi City | 6 | Blank cheques, signed stamps, ID copies, mobile phones |
| Total | 17 | Alleged organised examination leak network |
The arrests have once again raised concerns over the vulnerability of public recruitment examinations. Officials have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding examination processes and ensuring that those involved in such fraudulent activities face strict legal consequences.