NOAKHALI — A staff member at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) faces allegations of forging bank seals and signatures to embezzle money paid by students. The accused, Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, was working as a computer typist in the Controller of Examinations office. He has since been transferred to the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
According to sources, Shahadat took cash from students on the pretense of depositing their fees at the bank. He then used a counterfeit seal he kept with him to stamp the receipts instead of depositing the money. Students were reassured by the bank seal and signature, but the funds went to Shahadat’s pocket rather than the government treasury. At least 14 receipts with forged seals have been identified so far. The long-running fraud was exposed on April 14 when an inconsistency in the spelling on Shahadat’s seal raised suspicions.
The authentic seal of Agrani Bank’s NSTU branch carries the English words “Cash Receive”. But Shahadat’s counterfeit seal read “Cash Received”. When other officials in the same office noticed the discrepancy on a receipt, the embezzlement scheme came to light.
Officials said the amount embezzled may not be large because the fraud was caught quickly. They added that Shahadat could not have carried out such a scheme alone and suggested an influential network inside or outside the office may have been involved.
A three-member inquiry committee was formed on April 30 to investigate the matter. Professor Mohammad Saiful Alam, chairman of the chemistry department, has been made convener. Deputy Registrar Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of the council branch of the registrar’s office and Deputy Registrar Humayun Kabir of the office of the director of accounts have been made members.
Julfikar Haider, manager of the Agrani Bank NSTU branch, said an official came to show a bank officer photos of several receipts on a mobile phone. “Then we identified that it was not our seal,” he said.
He added that bank seals are produced with strict security and cannot be forged by anyone. “Especially when you check the signatures, it is easy to detect if forgery has taken place. We are in touch with the administration on this matter,” he said.
Shafiqul Islam, deputy controller of examinations, said the matter was reported to the university administration and an inquiry committee was quickly formed. “The administration will take further action after the inquiry report comes,” he said.
University Registrar Mohammad Tamzid Hossain Chowdhury said the authorities are aware of the incident. “A three-member inquiry committee has already been formed. Based on the committee’s report, administrative and legal action will be taken against the wrongdoers,” he said.
Saiful Alam, convener of the inquiry committee and chairman of the chemistry department, said he could not comment on the full picture yet. “But we, the members of the inquiry committee, have met. Various documents have been sought from the Controller of Examinations office. After reviewing them and interviewing the officials and staff concerned, the full inquiry report will be submitted,” he said.
He added that one name has surfaced initially. “How culpable Shahadat is, or whether anyone else is involved, will be known once the inquiry is complete,” he said.
NSTU Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Ismail said an inquiry committee has been formed to ensure justice. “Action will be taken based on the committee’s recommendations,” he said.
Shahadat did not respond to multiple phone calls or online messages seeking comment.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report