Job candidate caught after repeatedly coughing — signal for ‘Padma’ question set

A job candidate named Krishnakanta Roy was detained in Dinajpur after repeatedly coughing during an examination, which raised suspicions among the invigilators. Upon searching him, police recovered two electronic devices — one small round device was attached inside his ear using a special technique, and another was found strapped to his undershirt.

The incident took place around 10:10 a.m. on Saturday (October 25) at the Carey Memorial High School examination center in the Kasba area of Dinajpur town. The exam was being held for the position of Sub-Food Inspector under the Directorate General of Food. Krishnakanta was detained in the presence of Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Habibul Islam and police officers. A case is being prepared against him at Kotwali Police Station.

The detained candidate, Krishnakanta Roy, is the son of Ashutosh Roy from Rajarampur village in Biral upazila of Dinajpur. He completed his bachelor’s degree from Dinajpur Government College last year and was residing in a student hostel in the Fakirpara area of Dinajpur town.

During primary interrogation, Krishnakanta told police that he had obtained the electronic devices through a fraud syndicate based in Dhaka. He was instructed to cough as a signal if the question set was titled ‘Padma’. However, misunderstanding the instruction, he coughed repeatedly — which eventually led to his capture.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dinajpur Kotwali Police Station Md Nuruzzaman said, “During preliminary questioning, the detainee confessed to his involvement in exam fraud. He came to sit for the test using devices supplied by a Dhaka-based syndicate linked to question paper leaks. He was told to cough if the question set was ‘Padma’. Misinterpreting the signal, he coughed several times and got caught.”

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) of Dinajpur, S. M. Habibul Hasan, said, “We managed to catch one of the candidates red-handed for his involvement in exam fraud. Two others, including his brother, were detained from outside the center for questioning. It appears to be part of a larger syndicate. We’ve launched an operation with police to identify and apprehend all those involved, ensuring they face appropriate legal action.”

He added that preparations are underway to file a case over the incident.

Sharif