HC orders 2-month probe into alleged irregularities in Rooppur recruitment
The High Court bench directed the formation of a high-level committee, to be led by the secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and asked it to submit a report within two months
The High Court has ordered an investigation into unprecedented allegations of irregularities, corruption, fraud, and nepotism in recruitment at the under-construction Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna.
The High Court bench of Justice Fatema Anwar and Justice Ahmed Sohel directed the formation of a high-level committee, to be led by the secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and asked it to submit a report within two months, confirmed petitioner's lawyer Masud Ahmed Saeed today (24 February).
Earlier, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking a directive to investigate the unprecedented allegations of irregularities, corruption, fraud, and nepotism in recruitment at the Rooppur plant.
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The writ petition was filed, attaching a newspaper report published on alleged recruitment fraud at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
The report, headlined "Top posts for hefty bribes, permanent jobs with fake certificates", stated that the Rooppur project in Ishwardi, Pabna, is the most expensive and sensitive in the country's history. Despite the importance of the project and the need to appoint skilled, experienced, and competent personnel, the opposite allegedly occurred.
It is alleged that anti-state, dishonest, and unskilled individuals were appointed in exchange for large bribes with the backing of the "fascist Awami League" and India. It also claimed that permanent jobs were secured using fake certificates.
Serious and reckless allegations of irregularities, corruption, fraud, and nepotism were raised over recruitment at Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL), which was formed for the long-term operation, maintenance, and security of the project.
According to the report, between 2017 and 2024, the NPCBL authorities recruited more than 1,800 personnel through multiple recruitment circulars. Of them, nearly 1,400 were provided training at Russia's Rosatom Technical Academy.
However, explosive allegations of fake certificates, forged experience documents, bribery, and nepotism have emerged surrounding the recruitment processes conducted in 2019 and 2023, the report added.
