Published : 15 Jul 2024, 04:06 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 11:41 AM
Officials who bought leaked question papers to get government jobs should be apprehended and face action so that no one else dares to do so, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.
“If the beneficiaries [of question leak] can be found, we’ll take action against them. Why won’t we? They won’t have the right to remain in the job,” she said on Sunday.
“So, the question is - who will find them? If they [arrested suspects] name the buyers of the leaked question papers, and it is proven, we’ll see to it. I believe that.
“The beneficiaries should also be apprehended so that one one dares to do this in future,” the prime minister said.
Hasina discussed the issue at a press conference at the Ganabhaban on her recent China visit.
Police have so far arrested 17 people, including former and current officials of the Public Service Commission, after Channel 24 revealed the question paper leak gang.
Two lawyers on Sunday sent a legal notice to the government, seeking the publication of the names of those who used the leaked papers to enter public service.
“We must keep in mind that those who receive bribes, and those who pay are both criminals,” said Hasina.
“So, those who leak question papers and who buy these are both criminals. There’s no doubt about it. But who’ll find them out? Actions can be taken if the journalists can try and find them,” she said.
The prime minister alleged that the irregularities in public service recruitment had begun during the BNP government.
“Lists were sent from the Hawa Bhaban and the jobs were given following that list. A test was held in Dhaka College and a special room was kept for them there. They took the test there and got the job.
“No one spoke out, although leaks and irregularities began then."
The prime minister said the Awami League stopped the irregularities and removed those involved when it returned to power in 2009.
“This group somehow regained ground following the 2018 quota protests. Now we’ve been able to catch them. They will face trial after investigation.”
Hasina said some suggested hiding incidents like question paper leak because these can tarnish the government’s image.
“But I don’t believe that. I’ll catch whoever gets involved in wrongdoing and injustice. I don’t care about my image in such cases. They must be caught and face action. If we can’t remove them, such incidents will keep happening.
