Recruitment Evaluation Rescheduled For October 16
Hasnat Demands Revocation Of Exam Leak Probe
- Department of Youth Development preliminary recruitment test canceled over social media leaks
- Five-member inquiry panel formed under youth and sports ministry additional secretary
- Lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah calls probe committee farcical, demanding structural penalties against perpetrators
Exposing vulnerabilities within public sector examination security and digital content pipelines, Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah has demanded the immediate disbandment of an inquiry panel constituted to investigate an exam paper leak. Following widespread leaks on digital platforms, the preliminary recruitment examination for the Upazila Assistant Youth Development Officer (11th Grade) post under the Department of Youth Development was canceled on 10 October, Saturday, leading to political outcry over the appointed probe team.
Hasnat Abdullah, lawmaker for Cumilla-4 and Chief Organizer for the Southern Region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), voiced fierce criticism via his verified Facebook handle. He asserted that individuals tied to administrative lapses are being tasked with evaluating their own failures. Terming the five-member ministerial probe panel a farce, the lawmaker demanded an impartial inquiry alongside strict punitive measures against the culprits.
The nationwide preliminary screening was scheduled to commence across testing centers at 11:00 AM on Saturday. However, verified copies of the question paper began circulating across encrypted messaging platforms and social networks hours prior to the test. After digital monitoring teams verified the authenticity of the leaked material, authorities halted the examination, sparking swift street demonstrations and road blockades by frustrated candidates in Dhaka's Nilkhet intersection.
An official circular signed by Recruitment Committee Convener and Director (Administration) Joint Secretary DM Atiqur Rahman confirmed that the preliminary screening was aborted after authorities confirmed widespread social media leaks. The postponed test has been rescheduled for 16 October, Friday, at 3:00 PM, with revised instructions to be transmitted to candidates via mobile SMS channels.
To investigate the breach, an official order signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Ullah established a five-member fact-finding committee headed by the Additional Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The panel has been mandated to deliver a comprehensive forensic report within three working days, after which punitive legal and departmental actions will follow, official sources confirmed.
//DBTech/FBP/SMP/MNO//
