A recruitment scandal has surfaced in Lalpur upazila, Natore, after a candidate who was turned away from her viva voce for exceeding the age limit appeared on the final selection list for data collectors in the Family Card census programme. The controversial selection has sparked widespread public criticism regarding the integrity, vetting mechanisms, and transparency of official recruitment within the parliamentary constituency of State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul.
The candidate, Sonia Khatun, is the wife of Towhidul Islam Janet, former joint general secretary of Arbab Union Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). According to official recruitment guidelines, the maximum age limit for applicants was set at 40 years. However, National Identity (NID) card records indicate that Khatun was born in 1984, making her 42 years old.
Khatun herself confirmed that examiners barred her from sitting the oral interview due to her age. She explained that upon noticing her birth date, the interview panel informed her that candidates over 40 could not be processed, prompting her to leave without taking the viva. Despite her disqualification and absence from the oral examination, her name subsequently featured among the successful candidates on the final recruitment list.
Local authorities expressed surprise over the anomaly. Lalpur Upazila Social Services Officer Masud Rana stated he was previously unaware of the matter, promising to report the findings to higher authorities upon verification. Meanwhile, Lalpur Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md Abir Hossain assured that a formal investigation would determine how an over-age candidate who missed the interview process was listed as selected, promising appropriate administrative action.
The recruitment process for the Family Card census across Lalpur and Bagatipara upazilas has been marred by political unrest and administrative disruptions. On 12 August last year, the announcement of preliminary recruitment results triggered violent protests by local BNP, Jatiyatabadi Yuba Dal, and Chhatra Dal activists, who alleged recruitment commercialisation and bias toward Awami League affiliates. Demonstrators led by Bagatipara Upazila Chhatra Dal Convenor Sohel Rana ransacked the UNO’s office, assaulted several government officials, and harassed journalists, forcibly erasing media footage.
Following the violence, the administration transferred the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner, the Natore District Commissioner, and the UNOs of both Lalpur and Bagatipara, while temporarily suspending the census recruitment process across Natore district. The newly published final results, intended to resolve the deadlock, have instead drawn fresh scrutiny following Khatun’s improper inclusion.
