A third-class staff member at Jagannath University’s Office of the Controller of Examinations has been accused of a prolonged financial fraud involving forged bank seals and counterfeit deposit slips.
The employee, identified as Nazmul, allegedly embezzled student fees by submitting fake receipts bearing the forged seal of the university’s Agrani Bank branch and falsified signatures of bank officials.
The matter came to light when a senior officer from the Examination Control Office became suspicious and questioned Nazmul on May 3.
During the investigation, a forged seal resembling the university’s Agrani Bank branch seal with the label “Cash Receipt” was discovered.
On May 5, the deputy examination controller confiscated the seal from him and after initial questioning, Nazmul admitted to the crime.
It has been revealed that Nazmul had been working in the Examination Control Office for many years, handling tasks such as receiving required documents and providing information to students.
He was responsible for receiving receipts from students for depositing money in the bank for necessary documents such as certificates and mark sheets.
He also provided urgent fee receipts for students to collect their documents quickly.
However, he exploited this process for his personal gain.
Instead of depositing the money in the bank, he used forged seals to submit the documents to the Examination Control Office, thereby embezzling the funds for himself.
A postgraduate student of the university, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I went to collect my certificate and I needed an emergency document. At that time, he told me to fill out a receipt and he would deposit it in the bank and get it done quickly.”
This wasn’t a single incident.
Nazmul took advantage of students by offering such propositions and embezzled money and receipts without depositing them in the bank.
Multiple sources within the university also indicated that the fraudulent activities extended beyond Nazmul, involving other officers and employees who used the forged seal and signatures to misappropriate money under the pretext of bank deposits.
A senior officer in the Examination Control Office mentioned: “We found various signatures and other signs of forgery in the bank receipts. After questioning Nazmul, he confessed and the forged seal was confiscated. Some receipts sent to the bank for verification have been identified as counterfeit. Further checks are underway, and an investigation is ongoing.”
Nazmul admitted to the forgery of the bank’s seal and signatures, saying: “I was tempted by evil and made this mistake. I regret it deeply. I apologize to the authorities. How did they find out? I don’t know.”
Ariful Haque Bhuiyan, the manager of the university’s Agrani Bank branch, reported that seven vouchers were sent from the university, four of which contained fake seals.
He added: “We informed the university authorities and it is up to them to take appropriate action.”
Nasir Uddin Talukdar, the deputy examination controller, confirmed the discovery of some evidence of forgery.
He mentioned: “We have submitted the documents to the Registrar’s Office, and an investigation committee has been formed. I don’t have further details.”
Professor Dr Mostafa Hasan, the examination controller, said “An investigation committee has been formed for this incident. I cannot provide more information at the moment.”
Professor Dr Sheikh Giasuddin, the registrar, mentioned that the employee had been temporarily suspended and that an investigation committee had been established
“Appropriate action will be taken based on the investigation report,” he concluded.
