A suspected organised network accused of leaking recruitment examination questions for the Department of Youth Development was also involved in arranging bank loans worth crores of taka, according to investigation-related sources.

The network, allegedly involving employees of several government agencies and other individuals, is suspected of carrying out irregular and illegal activities for three to four years.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, members of the group allegedly received a share of approved loan amounts or collected payments through cheques in exchange for arranging bank loans. Evidence recovered from recently arrested suspects and preliminary investigations reportedly revealed the operation. Investigators also seized a large number of cheques.

Employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Department of Environment and the Ministry of Defence are among those suspected of involvement. Investigators have yet to identify the alleged mastermind behind the network.

Seven Arrested in Question Leak Investigation

The Special Response Battalion (SRB) arrested seven people on suspicion of involvement in the question leak following raids in Dhaka and surrounding areas from Wednesday through Friday.

The arrested individuals were identified as Md Jahangir Alam, an office assistant-cum-computer typist in the NBR’s income tax department; Md Nur Mohammad, an office support staff member; Md Rubel Islam, a data entry operator at the Department of Environment’s Rangpur office; Asadul Islam, an office support staff member at the Ministry of Defence; and alleged network members Md Mofizul Islam, Md Hasinur Rahman alias Sujon, and SM Emdadul Rahman.

The SRB had initially identified Emdadul as an NBR member on Friday. On Saturday, the NBR temporarily suspended Jahangir Alam and Nur Mohammad from their jobs.

Authorities seized 116 revenue stamps worth Tk 100 each, four stamps worth Tk 50 each, a set of examination questions, admission cards and certificates from various examinations, cheques from several banks, eight mobile phones, six national identity cards and Tk 4,000 in cash.

Recruitment Examination Questions Allegedly Leaked

The Department of Youth Development filed a case at Motijheel Police Station after questions for the recruitment examination for the post of Assistant Youth Development Officer were allegedly leaked on October 10.

The seven suspects were subsequently shown arrested in the case and sent to jail through court orders.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting a parallel investigation into the question leak. CID officials have already questioned several Department of Youth Development officials and seized 12 devices from the department.

Investigators said the case was expected to be transferred from Motijheel Police Station to the CID soon. After the transfer, investigators plan to seek court approval to question the suspects in remand.

Different Roles Within the Suspected Network

Investigators believe each member of the network had a specific responsibility. Some allegedly obtained examination questions, others circulated them, while additional members recruited candidates.

Investigators have yet to establish where Nur Mohammad allegedly obtained the question paper. According to preliminary findings, candidates were reportedly made to memorise the answers before the examination.

A review of mobile phones and WhatsApp messages has also yielded preliminary indications of possible question leaks involving other government recruitment examinations.

However, investigators have not yet disclosed which other government agencies’ recruitment tests may have been affected.

Sub-Inspector Mirza Mohammad Mukta, the investigation officer at Motijheel Police Station, told Samakal that the arrested suspects had been sent to jail through court orders and that the process of transferring the case to the CID was underway.

The investigation is continuing, and the allegations against the suspects have yet to be established in court.