World-class DU researcher linked to ‘paper mill’ network behind 22 retracted research papers

Dhaka University (DU) has been hit by a major academic integrity crisis after 22 research papers involving its faculty members were retracted for allegations including plagiarism, compromised peer review and suspected ‘paper mill’ activities, with a world-class researcher among those linked to multiple retracted publications.

An investigation by The Daily Observer, based on data from the global Retraction Watch database, found that 22 retracted papers among 71,496 records have at least one author affiliated with Dhaka University. The retractions span more than a decade, with a significant number occurring between 2023 and 2026, indicating a growing concern over research misconduct.

Among the DU-linked researchers, Saikat Mitra of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Md Rezaul Islam, CEO of Research Learning Center, are associated with four retracted papers each. Several journals, including Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy and Chemosphere, cited issues such as unreliable findings, compromised peer review processes and concerns over research integrity in retracting the publications.

Other researchers repeatedly appearing in the retracted papers include Talha Bin Emran, who is linked to four retractions, while Fahad A Alhumaydhi, Fahadul Islam and Md Rezaul Islam have each been associated with three retracted studies. A number of other academics, including Md Mohaimenul Islam, Aklima Akter, Atkia Farzana Khan Meem, Mohammad Abdul Mazid, Mohamed H Nafady, Ameer Khusro, Aziz Eftekhari, Fatemeh Karimi and Mehdi Baghayeri, are connected to two retracted papers each.

Of the 22 retracted publications, six listed Dhaka University as the sole or primary institutional affiliation. These include a widely discussed study on “greenwashing” in Bangladesh, which was retracted in February 2024 over data-related concerns and suspected paper mill involvement, and a physics paper on Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles withdrawn in March 2026 due to image duplication issues. Other DU-only retractions involved plagiarism allegations in climate change and geology research.

The remaining 16 papers involved DU researchers as co-authors alongside international collaborators. The repeated appearance of the same groups of authors in papers flagged for paper mill activity and peer-review manipulation has raised questions about a broader network of academic misconduct.

Speaking to The Daily Observer on Saturday, DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam said the university has clear policies to deal with research dishonesty and that action would be taken if allegations are proven.

“In our last syndicate meeting, one person was temporarily removed from classes for such matters,” he said, adding that investigation committees are formed whenever allegations emerge. “If dishonesty is proven, we do whatever our rules dictate.”

Prof. Salam said a plagiarism allegation involving Philosophy Department professor Rebeka Sultana was also previously reviewed by the university. He added that the current administration would reconsider such matters if new complaints were submitted.

He also pointed out differences between DU’s plagiarism detection standards and international publishing practices. According to him, DU currently considers a similarity threshold of 14 consecutive words before raising plagiarism concerns, while many international journals may flag similarities involving much shorter word sequences. He said mathematical equations and other technical elements also create challenges in assessing originality.

Expressing concern over Bangladesh’s reputation in global research, Prof. Salam warned that allegations of plagiarism and paper mill involvement could further damage the country’s credibility among international publishers.

“When they see a country like ours, they doubt our data quality,” he said. “If they confirm that many people here write papers through plagiarism, this will destroy trust further. We are in real trouble. We have to look at these matters very seriously.”

Research misconduct investigations by academic publishers generally follow guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Editors typically review allegations, seek explanations from authors and may launch independent investigations before retracting papers if serious misconduct is established. Retraction Watch maintains one of the largest public databases tracking such retractions.

The 22 DU-linked retractions involve 133 authors in total, suggesting that the challenge extends beyond individual cases and may require broader institutional measures to strengthen research ethics and oversight.

-HIS