Abu Zafar, a recently suspended deputy director of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC), has been arrested in connection with government job recruitment exam question paper leak scandal.
Now, it has been found that Zafar operated a coaching centre named Jyoti Institute in Malibagh, Dhaka, where he taught students from various regions, primarily preparing them for different job exams, including the BCS.
The coaching centre, "Jyoti Commercial," was named after his wife, Jyoti.
Despite being initially denied a promotion due to his involvement in coaching—which is illegal for a PSC official—and other irregularities, Zafar continued to earn money by running the coaching centre and leaking question papers.
In his home town in Kalagachhia union under Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali, Zafar began constructing a duplex house on a 60-decimal plot of land surrounded by a boundary wall near the main road. However, construction has been abandoned for the past three years.
Journalists visiting Zafar’s village home observed a paved mosque and a madrasa built in front of the house.
Locals said that Abu Zafar rarely visited his home area. They knew him as a well-employed individual working in the secretariat.
Although he initiated the construction of a concrete building at his home, only the columns and roof were completed.
Some speculate that the incomplete construction of his house was a tactic to conceal his illegal wealth.
A neighbour, Kamal Hussain, said: “Abu Zafar built a mosque, a madrasa here, and began constructing his house. As far as we knew, he was a good man. We were unaware of any crimes he had committed. Now, we know he has been arrested for his involvement in the question paper leak. However, he didn’t do anything bad in our area.”
Abu Zafar and his brother founded the Kalagachiya Miyabari Noorani Hafiziya Madrasah. Hafez Maulana Imran Hossain of the madrasa said: “Currently, there are 18 students in the madrasa. All the expenses were covered by Zafar Mia and his brother Awal Mia.”
The news of Abu Zafar's arrest and his alleged involvement in the question paper leak has raised concerns among locals. Many acquaintances are now distancing themselves to avoid complications related to his arrest.
