Ex-Kushtia resident medical officer faces departmental case over recruitment exam question leak
Probe finds preliminary evidence supporting allegations that candidates took the written recruitment test at his residence using allegedly leaked question papers.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has filed a departmental case against former resident medical officer (RMO) Dr Hossain Imam over allegations of leaking question papers and facilitating irregularities in a recruitment examination at the Kushtia Civil Surgeon's Office.
The disciplinary case was initiated after an investigation committee found preliminary evidence supporting the allegations, according to an official notice signed by Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, secretary (Discipline-1) of the Health Services Division.
Dr Imam, who was serving at Kushtia 250-bed General Hospital at the time of the incident, has been charged with misconduct under Rule 3(b) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.
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The ministry's disciplinary notice states that question papers for the written recruitment test for grade 11–20 posts at the Kushtia Civil Surgeon's Office were leaked, allowing some candidates to take the examination unfairly.
Between 4 March and 24 March 2025, the Kushtia Civil Surgeon's Office accepted online applications for 115 vacancies across seven grade 11–20 job categories, including 97 health assistant posts.
On 24 October 2025, the Kushtia Civil Surgeon's Office held a written recruitment examination for grade 11–20 posts. During the test, several candidates were reportedly seen leaving the residence of the then resident medical officer, Dr Imam.
It was later alleged that he had leaked the question papers in exchange for money and arranged for the candidates to sit the examination at his home.
The incident prompted the then deputy commissioner (DC) to order an investigation. The Directorate General of Health Services subsequently formed a probe committee, which found preliminary evidence supporting the allegations, leading to departmental proceedings.
Dr Imam has been served with a show-cause notice asking why he should not be dismissed from service or face any other disciplinary penalty under the rules. The notice directs him to submit a written explanation within 10 working days.
Asked whether investigators had found evidence implicating anyone else, Kushtia Civil Surgeon Dr SM Kamal Hossain said he was unaware of such information.
"The investigation committee will be able to say," he added.
