Residing in India, Drawing Salaries in Bangladesh

A principal and his wife, employed at Shashikar Shahid Smriti College in Dasar Upazila, Madaripur district, have been accused of living in India while continuing to draw salaries from their jobs in Bangladesh. The couple, Principal Durlabhananda Baroi and his wife, Champa Rani Mondal, a lecturer in the Social Work Department at the same college, allegedly own a house in Kalyani, West Bengal, India, where they reside with their family.

According to sources, the couple has been living in India for an extended period under the pretext of leave, while still receiving regular salaries and allowances from the college. Following complaints of irregularities and corruption, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has canceled their Monthly Pay Order (MPO).

Multiple teachers from the college, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the couple has been engaging in irregularities for a long time. They reportedly built strong ties with the college’s governing body and administration, which allowed them to continue their misconduct without significant consequences. They are said to have been assisted by office assistant Sajal Sarkar. Premananda Sarkar, president of the Nabagram Union BNP and a local resident, claimed that Durlabhananda Baroi secured his job through irregularities and built a house in Kalyani, India, where his wife and children reside. Despite this, they continue to draw salaries from Bangladesh. He further alleged that Champa Rani took medical leave to cover up their actions, securing a six-month leave, which is unusual as private colleges typically do not grant leaves exceeding one month. Locals reported that after the Awami League government fled on August 5 last year, the couple moved to India. A few days later, Durlabhananda returned to Bangladesh, leaving his wife in India. Before departing, Champa Rani allegedly signed blank checks to facilitate the withdrawal of her salary and allowances. Multiple sources confirmed that the Education Ministry investigated allegations of irregularities, recruitment fraud, and administrative corruption against the couple. Following the investigation, which found the allegations to be true, the MPO of both Durlabhananda Baroi and Champa Rani Mondal was canceled on March 18 this year. During Durlabhananda’s stay in India, another teacher, Bimal Pande, served as the acting principal of the college. Denying the allegations, Principal Durlabhananda Baroi stated that his wife is currently on medical leave in India, having taken six months of leave in two phases, and everything is being done according to regulations. Md. Ashrafuzzaman, the Kalkini Upazila Secondary Education Officer (in charge of Dasar Upazila), said that inquiries are being made about the couple. If evidence of irregularities is found, higher authorities will be informed.

Dasar Upazila Executive Officer Saif-Ul Arefin stated that the allegations will be investigated, and if proven true under the law, strict action will be taken.