Alip Kumar Biswas

One of the alleged leaders of a question-paper leaking gang, who helped many cheat their way into universities, also got a government job allegedly through the backdoor.

Alip Kumar Biswas, a former activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League of Dhaka College got the job of assistant director (admin) at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) last year.

He was 15th in the written test for the job but managed to sway the selection board with influence as he was blessed by a state minister, said several BKSP officials requesting not to be named.

According to the CID, Alip is one of the masterminds of the question-paper leaking racket and he made a hefty amount supplying small Bluetooth ear pieces to people intending to cheat in freshmen exams. He had been doing this for the last five years and even while holding the post at the BKSP.

The CID officials learnt about Alip after arresting Mohiuddin Rana, an expelled assistant secretary of the BCL central committee, and Abdullah Al Mamun, theatre and debate affairs secretary of the BCL's Amar Ekushey Hall unit, on October 20. The CID filed a case in this regard with Shahbagh Police Station on that day.

The Daily Star learnt that Alip was given unusually high score in his viva-voce during recruitment, the process of which started in 2014.

This paper obtained a copy of the marks of the first 31 candidates who had been called in for the viva-voce. Of them, 28 showed up.

According to the copy, the highest scoring candidate got 43 out of 75 in the written test followed by two others scoring 40 each.

Alip only got 33.

But in viva-voce tables had turned. The top scorer in the written test got 10 out of 25. None except Alip got more.

Alip was given 21 out of 25, which gave him a score one more than everybody else.

He eventually joined on January 6, 2016.

Several BKSP officials alleged that the seven-member selection committee led by the then director general was forced to give the job to Alip as he was a state minister's preferred candidate.

“The committee called in 31 candidates for interviews only to take Alip,” a BKSP official said.

Requesting anonymity, a high official of BKSP and also a member of that selection committee, told The Daily Star, “The selection committee is actually insignificant and has nothing to do when the recruitment is finalised by the ministry of youth and sports.

“The files were sent to the ministry after the interview. The ministry approved the appointment and the former director general just signed it.”

Asked about Alip's viva-voce marks, the official said, “What can I say? I am just a government employee.”

Contacted, Biren Sikder, state minister for youth and sports, refuted the allegations of him having anything to do with Alip's recruitment.

“I was not in the selection committee. I don't know anything about it. Please ask those who were in the committee,” he added.

Contacted, Brig Gen Ali Murtaza Khan, former director general of BKSP and also the president of that selection committee, told The Daily Star that he could not recall the appointment.

“It was two to three years ago. I can't remember anything specific about the appointment. I have to see the files,” Murtaza said.

On September 2, 2014, BKSP published the circular seeking application on different posts for coaches, doctor, researcher and admin.

The recruitments of around 35 coaches, teachers and officials at BKSP between 2011 and 2016 are under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC recently approved filing of cases against seven coaches.

Alip's recruitment is among those being investigated.

ABM Ruhul Azad, director (administration and finance) of BKSP, told The Daily Star that Alip was suspended following allegations of his involvement in the question-paper leak and for his absence at work.

According to the CID, Alip had several students of DU, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, and some involved in coaching centres in his gang.

After his involvement came to light, Alip went to BKSP on October 26 and sought leave. The leave was not granted.

Molla Nazrul Islam, special superintended of CID, said, “The CID is trying to arrest him [Alip] and will not spare anyone who is accused in the case.”

Alip could not be reached for comments.