A teacher at a secondary school in Lalpur of Natore has been accused of withdrawing salary despite being absent from work for almost 4 months.
According to the complaint, Uttam Kumar Mondal, a religious teacher at the secondary branch of Durduria High School and College in Durduria Union of the upazila, has been absent from work for about three months and 21 days since April 10 of this year. Despite being absent from the school, he is regularly collecting his salary through EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer). Opening the school's attendance book, it is seen that Uttam Kumar Mondal, the school's (Hindu Religion and Moral Education) teacher, has not signed the attendance book for about 3 months and 21 days, and there is an absence written on it. It is also known that he has been absent from school for months without any leave.
According to local sources, Uttam Kumar Mandal is the prime accused in a case for attacking Sanjay Kumar Karmakar, General Secretary of Bangladesh Puja Udjawan Parishad, on March 19, 2025, and is currently absconding as he is the second accused in the shooting case targeting Aam Para at Gosai Ashram in the upazila (May 20, 2025). When contacted to inquire about his long absence from school, Uttam Kumar Mandal said that he was physically ill. When asked whether he had taken leave due to illness, he could not give any answer.
When asked about this, Durduria High School and College Principal Abdul Jabbar said that Uttam Kumar has been absent from the institution for a long time and has been temporarily suspended as per the decision of the institution's review committee as he has not received a response to the three show-cause notices given to him.
Upazila Secondary Education Officer Wazed Ali Mridha said that the option to stop salary through EFT has not been implemented yet, it may be implemented in August, and necessary action is being taken against it.
