The law enforcement agencies have launched operations to ensure the integrity of the upcoming exams for admission to MBBS and BDS courses at government and private medical colleges and prevent any attempts at cheating.
Directorate General of Medical Education Director (Medical Education) Dr Md Mahiuddin Matubber recently wrote to the inspector general of police, urging necessary measures to guarantee fair, orderly and transparent testing procedures.
The letter addresses concerns over past incidents where fraudsters and corrupt individuals exploited coaching centres, social media platforms like Facebook and personal connections to promise admission to medical colleges. There are allegations suggesting that these entities harassed and exploited examinees and their parents financially, casting doubts on the transparency of the examination process.
Given the national significance and sensitivity of the tests, the DGME explicitly requested heightened vigilance against any unethical practices and emphasized the need for assistance to ensure a fair and organized examination.
Sources at police headquarters said Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Nassian Wazed had issued directives to all police units to thwart cheating attempts during the exams, ordering them to bring to justice those who tried to commit fraud in the tests or promised admission in exchange for money.
Police officials said an organized ring had been involved in leaking question papers for medical and university exams, and several of its members had been arrested at different times. The police were actively monitoring these individuals and keeping close watch on social media to prevent any unethical behaviour, they added.
Sources familiar with the matter said a gang had been active in the past during medical admission tests, adding that several coaching centres and doctors had also been affiliated with it.
Last year, the Criminal Investigation Department arrested several people, including at least seven doctors, for their alleged role in leaking medical entry test questions.
CID officials said members of the ring had illegally amassed crores of taka.
Sources said Three Doctors was one of the coaching centres involved in the fraud.
Besides, Primet Coaching Centre, Fame Coaching Centre, Medico Coaching Center and E Haque Coaching were also involved in fraud at various times. A law enforcement officer said these coaching centres along with others were under surveillance ahead of the exams.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Media) Faruk Hossain said detectives and the DMP’s cyber units were actively involved in addressing this matter.
Sources within the DGME said the exams would offer 5,380 seats in government medical colleges, representing an increase of over 1,000 seats compared to the previous year.
Additionally, there are 6,348 seats available in private medical colleges, with seats also allocated for 375 students in armed forces medical colleges.
The MBBS admission examination is scheduled for February 9.
