Dhaka: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) held three persons including a University Grant Commission (UGC) official for their alleged involvement in question paper leak in medical entrance examination.

The combined entrance tests for the medical and dental college MBBS-BDS courses for the 2015-16 academic session was held across the country on Friday.

RAB officials said three people including UGC assistant director Omar Siraj were held during a raid at UGC headquarter in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

RAB said a total of 42 people were detained last week in connection with question paper leak.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim visited an exam centre at the Arts Faculty of Dhaka University. He, however, did not enter the exam hall.

At a press briefing outside the exam centre, the Minister said, ‘I don’t want to hamper their exam. My best wishes are always with them.’

The Minister also said that this year government has directed the authorities concerned to keep the medical admission coaching centres shut until the medical entrance test is over for avoiding forgery.

According to the Health Ministry, there are 9212 seats in the 95 government and private medical colleges while 1887 seats in dental colleges.

A total of 84,784 admission seekers have appeared in the examination.