Proxy caught in six government banks’ cash officer exam, released on bond

A proxy candidate was caught red-handed during the cash officer recruitment examination for six government-owned banks on Saturday (31 January). Saddam Hossain was apprehended at the Motijheel Government Girls’ High School examination centre around 10:00 am while attempting to appear in place of another candidate named Majharul Islam.

Saddam Hossain completed his BSc (Honours) in Mathematics from Dhaka University in 2018 and MSc in 2019. He hails from South Toriya village in Atwari upazila of Panchagarh district.

The genuine candidate, Majharul Islam, graduated with a BA (Honours) in Peace and Conflict Studies from the same university in 2015 and obtained his MA in 2016. He is from Satyer Kanda village in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur district.

According to centre officials, the proxy was detected during signature verification when the signature on the attendance sheet did not match the one submitted with the application. The centre inspector then referred the matter to the on-duty executive magistrate.

During initial questioning by the magistrate, Saddam confessed to impersonating the candidate. Under normal circumstances, such offences carry a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, fine, and debarment from government employment. However, the executive magistrate released him after he submitted a written bond undertaking not to repeat the offence.

In the bond, Saddam wrote: “On Saturday, I committed a grave offence by appearing as a proxy in the cash officer examination. I have realised the gravity of this wrongdoing and undertake that I will never repeat such a mistake in future. Otherwise, I shall be liable under law.”

A total of five executive magistrates were deployed across 27 examination centres in Dhaka to ensure fair conduct of the test. The Motijheel Government Girls’ High School centre, along with five others, was under the supervision of Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Dalia Nowshin Lubna of the Dhaka district administration.

Speaking to reporters, the magistrate confirmed that she had informed higher authorities about her decision to release Saddam on bond.

Examination officials said an organised racket is actively involved in such recruitments, offering “guaranteed” jobs in exchange for large sums of money. These groups arrange proxies, question leaks or use electronic devices to help candidates pass. While Bangladesh Bank maintains strict oversight, it cannot directly impose penalties.

A senior Bangladesh Bank official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that under the Public Service Commission Act, anyone caught attempting or acting as a proxy can be punished by the executive magistrate with imprisonment up to two years, fine or both. The official expressed surprise that the magistrate chose to release the accused solely on bond in this instance.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson and Executive Director Arif Hossain Khan told reporters: “Whenever such incidents are detected, the person is handed over to the duty magistrate or law enforcement agencies for legal action.”