Primary teacher suspended after jailing for proxy in judicial service exam

A government primary school teacher in Thakurgaon has been temporarily suspended after being sentenced to jail for allegedly sitting a Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission recruitment examination on behalf of another candidate.

The suspension order against Jewel Rana, an assistant teacher at Prayagpur Government Primary School in Ranishankail upazila, was issued on July 29 by Thakurgaon District Primary Education Officer Mofazzal Hossain.

The development was confirmed by Ranishankail Upazila Primary Education Officer Jahangir Alam.

According to official sources, the incident occurred during the written examination for the 'Jarikarak' post under the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission, held in Dhaka on June 20. Jewel Rana was allegedly caught red-handed while appearing as a proxy candidate for another examinee. Following his arrest, the Special Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Lalbagh, Dhaka, sentenced him to six months' rigorous imprisonment in a summary trial.

Education officials said Jewel Rana had taken three days of casual leave from his school beginning June 20. However, he failed to return to work after the leave expired. As a result, the authorities issued a show-cause notice on July 14, but he did not respond.

Subsequent inquiries by the school and education authorities confirmed that he had been arrested in Dhaka and was serving a prison sentence in connection with the examination fraud case. After being released from jail, he reportedly reported to the upazila education office to resume duty, where he was formally served with the suspension order issued by the district primary education office.

The education department said departmental proceedings will continue in accordance with the relevant service rules.