Public Administration Ministry Senior Secretary Dr Md Mokhles Ur Rahman rejected the authenticity of the news published against him in two Bengali newspapers on Thursday and informed that he would go to the Bangladesh Press Council demanding proper justice for such a 'fake news.'
"The screenshots, which were published in the papers, are from the 'iPhone', but he uses a mobile phone of 'Samsung' brand," he claimed while talking to media at his office on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Chief Adviser's office on Thursday formed a probe committee led by Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, according to the CA Office. Other advisers are Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Md Nahid Islam.
At a press conference over Durga Puja at the Secretariat on Thursday, Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin S Murshid said that the Advisory Council has instructed an investigation into bribery allegation against the senior secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration in the appointment of DCs.
The three advisers have been assigned to conduct the inquiry and submit a report to the advisory council.
In response to a query about the government's step over the bribery claims involving the senior secretary, Sharmin Murshid said, "Yes, of course, the government will investigate. However, two points should be considered by the media. Firstly, how much of the widely circulated clip on social media is authentic, and how much could be AI-generated or manipulated? Ordinary people like us can't always differentiate. The cabinet discussed the issues, and we are looking into the technical accuracy of the information shared."
She further said, "It must be investigated promptly, and we will ensure that happens."
Expressing her concern, Sharmin said, "It's troubling to hear such talk about a high-ranking official. Naturally, we are concerned about this. We need to investigate why these allegations of bribery have surfaced, what their source is, and the reasons behind them. We are no longer in the analog age, which adds to our challenges. We can't simply accept everything that appears on social media as true; we must verify it."
A vernacular daily has published a report alleging bribery involving Dr Md Mokhles Ur Rahman, the Senior Secretary to Public Administration Ministry, regarding the appointment of DCs. The report also included screenshots of the senior secretary's WhatsApp conversations.
However, Mokhles Ur Rahman dismissed the allegation of bribery related to DC appointment as 'baseless' and labelled a recent article published in a national daily as 'fake'.
"A newspaper has published the news of transaction of bribes. It has published some screenshots. My mobile phone is Samsung while the screenshots is from iPhone. Ask them, what are they showing? What was the dialogue, I do not know. If I say less about the matter, it is better," he responded against a query.
He said, "I am from a middle-class family. I do not use the telephone (mobile phone) that the government allocated for me. You know that I am using my old number."
In response to a query about resignation from the position, Dr Mokhles said, "If you want to make news on the matter, you can ask me. Those who have worked with me know that there is no authenticity. That is why, you should ask yourself that how much it is logical to ask me such a question."
He also informed that the Information Ministry Secretary has been given official letter to take necessary actions against the newspaper. "You know about some other procedures. They will take steps."
