Supreme Court Orders Probe into Ruppur Recruitment Fraud

The Bangladesh High Court has directed a formal investigation into unprecedented allegations of corruption, fraud, nepotism, and irregularities in staff recruitment at the under-construction Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna.

The court has instructed the Ministry of Science and Technology to form a high-level committee, led by the ministry secretary, to complete the investigation and submit a comprehensive report within two months.

The bench, composed of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar, delivered the order on Tuesday, 24 February. The petitioner’s legal counsel, Masud Ahmed Saeed, confirmed the ruling.

The petition had sought a judicial probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment at the nuclear power plant. It was supported by press reports highlighting fraudulent practices, including appointments based on bribery and falsified documents. One report, headlined “High Bribes for Top Posts, Permanent Jobs via Fake Certificates,” detailed how positions meant for skilled and experienced personnel were instead filled through unethical means.

Ruppur, the country’s largest and most expensive nuclear power project, is critical for Bangladesh’s energy security. The report claims that certain individuals were appointed with the backing of influential political groups and foreign entities, including India, in exchange for substantial bribes. Allegations also indicate that some permanent appointments were secured through forged documents, raising serious concerns about the project’s long-term operation, safety, and management.

The entity responsible for recruitment is the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL). Investigations reveal that from 2017 to 2024, NPCBL recruited over 1,800 personnel through multiple job circulars. Of these, approximately 1,400 were sent to Russia’s Rosatom Technical Academy for specialised training. However, recruitment processes in 2019 and 2023 have reportedly involved fake certificates, falsified experience documents, bribery, and nepotism.

The table below summarises recruitment and training trends at Ruppur:

The High Court’s directive emphasises transparency and meritocracy in appointments, highlighting the strategic importance of Ruppur in national energy policy. The investigative committee is expected to evaluate all recruitment procedures and recommend legal and administrative actions to rectify the systemic flaws.

Experts warn that compromising on merit and integrity in recruiting for such a sensitive and high-budget project could endanger both operational safety and the long-term sustainability of the nuclear facility.