73 of 76 Teachers Found Fraudulent
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The head of the institution, Principal Imdadul Haque, has appointed 11 members of his own family, all of whom hold forged certificates. The list includes his wife, son, daughter-in-law, daughter, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousin, and even his personal driver. He effectively turned the institution into a “family rehabilitation center” by issuing fake certificates and arranging fraudulent appointments. The investigation found that all certificates belonging to Principal Imdadul Haque himself are also forged.
The Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) said in its report that Imdadul Haque took bribes in exchange for teacher recruitment. After appointments, he also collected a portion of their salaries and allowances. Authorities prepared all appointment documents with backdated records. The DIA has recommended recovery of Tk 5 crore 57 lakh 56 thousand from the public exchequer, paid as salaries and allowances to these fake appointees. Of this, 61 staff members in the college section received Tk 4 crore 21 lakh 33 thousand, while 12 staff members in the school section received Tk 1 crore 36 lakh 22 thousand. The agency also recommended administrative action as well as criminal proceedings against Imdadul Haque.
The report further states that all staff at the institution are under the MPO (Monthly Pay Order) system. All 61 staff members in the college section and 12 out of 15 in the school section were appointed through fraud. Most of their academic certificates, teacher registration papers, and experience documents were forged. The fraud did not stop at fake certificates; the principal and his associates prepared all supporting documents required for these appointments. Between 2015 and 2021, none of these individuals appeared in the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) survey, yet they were suddenly included in 2022.
Imdadul Haque appointed his wife Ismeta Ara as office assistant, his son Imrul Hasan Kayes as lab assistant, his daughter-in-law Susmita Akter Jerin as lab assistant, and his daughter Israt Jahan also as lab assistant. He also appointed his sister Asma Khatun as assistant teacher in agriculture, his sister’s husband Azizul Haque as lecturer in commerce, and his sister-in-law Shefali Khatun as lecturer. His cousin Kamrul Islam was appointed as lecturer in banking, and his cousin Shahnaz Parvin was also appointed as lecturer. Even his personal driver was not left out of these appointments.
Imdadul’s All Certificates Found Fake
According to the investigation report, even the certificate through which Imdadul Haque secured his job does not belong to him. His academic record shows that he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Dhaka College in 2009, with roll number 9035327 and registration number 8093984. The investigation committee sent the certificate for verification to the National University. The university confirmed that the parents’ names linked to that roll and registration number do not match those of Imdadul Haque.
He also obtained a Master’s certificate in 2005 from an institution called “America Bangladesh University.” However, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has confirmed that no approved university exists in the country under that name.
Using these forged certificates, Imdadul Haque also secured promotions. He previously served as a head teacher of a lower secondary school. However, regulations require experience as a head teacher of a recognized secondary school to qualify for the position of principal of a school and college—experience he did not have. He was promoted directly from a lower secondary institution to the college level, a move that violated rules. Even after claiming a new post at the college, he continued drawing salary from his previous lower secondary position.
The investigation report states that Imdadul Haque joined as principal in 2014. Yet he continued to draw salary and allowances from his previous lower secondary head teacher post until 2023.
Responding to the allegations, Imdadul Haque told Agamir Somoy that the Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) conducted only a partial investigation and that the report is not accurate. He also claimed that all his family members were appointed based on their own merit, and therefore there is no question of refunding money. His wife, son, daughter-in-law, and daughter also spoke to Agamir Somoy, calling the investigation one-sided and arguing that a full probe would prove the validity of their appointments and certificates.
DIA Director Professor Shahidul Islam told Agamir Somoy that the investigation was conducted in great detail and produced conclusive evidence of fraud. He said the report has already been submitted to the ministry, and it is now their responsibility to take legal and administrative action.
According to the DIA report, the syndicate will face not only departmental action but also criminal proceedings under existing laws for fraud and embezzlement of public funds.
