Md. Shah Alam Miah, Mithapukur (Rangpur)

In a disturbing development from Rangpur’s Mithapukur upazila, Principal Md. Mahedul Alam of Payraband Begum Rokeya Smriti Girls' School and College is facing a slew of serious allegations ranging from using a fake B.Ed certificate to threats of physical harm against a journalist.

 Despite the gravity of the charges, including large-scale financial irregularities and forgery, the local administration has yet to take any decisive action — even after six months.

On Tuesday (6 May), Mithapukur UNO Bikash Chandra Barman acknowledged the allegations but claimed the complainants had withdrawn their complaint. However, the affected teachers and staff categorically denied this claim, stating they never signed any such withdrawal.

“We did not withdraw our complaint,” said two teachers and an office assistant. “We submitted it in writing to the DC of Rangpur, the district secondary education officer, and the UNO six months ago. We haven’t seen any justice since. Why should we risk ourselves with a new complaint ?”

According to official documents, Md. Mahedul Alam was appointed as an MPO-listed assistant teacher in May 2002. During an online audit on 3 March 2022 by the Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Inspection and Audit, it was revealed that Alam claimed to have completed his B.Ed in 2000 from Bangladesh Open University. However, evidence shows he only enrolled in 2005 and never passed. Nonetheless, he received the B.Ed pay scale in 2008 using falsified documents.

Further scrutiny revealed he obtained his first time scale in 2012 — four years earlier than allowed under MPO regulations. The manipulation allowed him to receive substantial additional funds from the government.

From 2016 to 2024, allegations surfaced that Alam embezzled tuition fees designated for teachers and staff. In 2022 and 2024 alone, he reportedly forged signatures of an expired committee chair to withdraw Tk 1.5 lakh without the knowledge of the acting chairman.

In another case, Alam allegedly kept Tk 19,130 — refunded from the 2021 SSC exam board — instead of returning it to 47 students. Despite complaints filed on 30 October 2024, no administrative steps were taken.

Multiple anonymous staff members alleged that Alam used his political connections to escape scrutiny. A member of the Awami Swechchhasebak League, Alam is said to have had strong backing from Awami League leaders, including Rashek Rahman, son of a central AL figure, and Rangpur city AL general secretary Tushar Kanti Mondol.

Following a change in government, he reportedly aligned himself with BNP-Jamaat leaders and is now under the protection of local education officer Md. Abdul Momin Mondol, who is also his neighbor.

On 30 October 2024, senior teachers Md. Maksudur Rahman, Rezaul Karim, office assistant Haidar Ali, and night guard Golzar Hossain submitted a detailed 14-point complaint to the UNO. A similar complaint was filed with the DC on 3 November 2024.

Following the complaint, UNO Bikash Chandra Barman assigned the investigation to Senior Fisheries Officer Md. Hakibur Rahman. Although documents were collected, Rahman was later informed the issue had been “resolved,” and the investigation was halted.

“I was told not to proceed with the investigation,” said Hakibur Rahman. “As it’s not under my department and I was officially relieved, I couldn’t continue.”

The controversy escalated further when, on 21 April, Amader Shomoy published a report titled “Cheating for a Price at SSC Exam Center.” That evening, Alam reportedly called journalist Khondoker Rakibul Islam and threatened to break his knee, using abusive language. He also threatened legal action under the Digital Security Act. The audio recording of the call went viral on social media, sparking nationwide outrage from journalist communities and demands for Alam’s removal.

Attempts to contact Md. Mahedul Alam were unsuccessful. He briefly answered a call but hung up upon hearing the caller was a journalist. Further attempts went unanswered.

Secondary Education Officer Abdul Momin Mondol denied shielding Alam, citing workload as he also handles Pirganj upazila. “We have started an investigation. He has been relieved from center secretary duties and issued a show-cause notice over exam rule violations,” he said.

UNO Bikash Chandra Barman reiterated his earlier statement that the complaint had been withdrawn. Upon being informed by the reporter that complainants denied this, he said, “If a new complaint is submitted, we will investigate and take legal action.”

Md. Mahedul Alam was appointed as an assistant teacher in 2002 and promoted to principal in 2015, reportedly on the recommendation of central AL’s publicity subcommittee member Rashek Rahman. In 2022, the school was approved to conduct HSC-level classes, making him a college principle