4 arrested for joining Ministry of Public Administration, accused of giving viva with fake candidates

Four candidates have been arrested after they were appointed to the post of office assistant in the Ministry of Public Administration. Suspicion was raised as their current appearance did not match the photo taken during the oral examination. Later, during initial interrogation, the ministry said that they admitted to taking the oral examination through another person.

The arrested persons are - Md. A. Alim of Gopalpur Upazila of Tangail, Md. Ali Haider of Chauhali Upazila of Sirajganj, Md. Russell Rana Liton of Nageshwari Upazila of Kurigram and Md. Masud Fakir of Sreepur Upazila of Gazipur.

It is learnt that the admit card along with the photo of each candidate was saved during the oral examination. Later, after the recruitment process, 20 people were finally selected for the post of office assistant and their appointment letters were given on July 6.

According to the appointment letter, the selected candidates were supposed to submit their joining letters to the Joint Secretary (Administration Branch) of the Ministry of Public Administration in Room 1802, Building 1 of the Secretariat at 10 am on July 19.

When four candidates went to join at the scheduled time, the officials noticed a discrepancy in their appearance with the photos taken during the oral examination. Later, when they were questioned, they admitted the matter, the complaint states.

A complaint has been filed with Shahbagh Police Station on behalf of the ministry. The complaint states that other people participated in the oral examination on behalf of the four. Later, they admitted the matter by giving written statements.

According to the information in the complaint, Md. A. Alim's oral examination was held on June 24. Md. Ali Haider and Md. Russell Rana Liton's examination was held on June 25 and Md. Masud Fakir's examination was held on June 28. The time for the examination of the four was 2 pm.

Earlier, on May 5, the Ministry of Public Administration published a recruitment notice for the posts of Shorthand Typewriter cum Computer Operator and Office Assistant. 23,709 people applied for the post of Office Assistant.

The written examination for the post of Office Assistant was held on June 19. 9,318 people participated in the examination held at five centers. Out of those who passed the written examination, 107 people were selected for the oral examination.