Mumbai: The CBI claimed to have busted an operation involving an attempt to use proxies to clear the NEET medical entrance examinations in the wake of several suicides by students who were devastated by their results, according to an NDTV report.
In the CBI-conducted probe into the scandal at the Maharashtra-based coaching centre, RK Education Career Guidance, the agency has also reportedly found details of receiving payments of Rs 50 lakh per candidate in the assurance of admission in government medical colleges.
The arrests of its Director Parimal Kotpalliwar and several students, who were involved in the scam, have been registered, the report said.
The arrested Parimal Kotpalliwar has been accused of soliciting students and their parents with an assurance of admission in top government medical colleges through fraudulent channels in return for a hefty amount.
Parents of the aspirants were asked to hand over post-dated cheques of the agreed amount that goes up to Rs 50 lakh along with original mark sheets of the candidate for Class 10 and Class 12 as security on an agreement of returning the same after the realization of the amount, the NDVT revealed report said.
"Information further revealed that the user IDs and passwords of candidates appearing for the examination have been collected by Parimal and his associates and necessary modifications have been made for getting desired examination centres as planned by them. They also use the process of mixing/morphing photographs to facilitate use of proxy candidates for appearing in the examination. Copies of e-Aadhaar cards of candidates were being collected to make forged ID cards. Parimal also assured candidates of providing answer keys and manipulating OMR sheets", the FIR added.
The revelation comes amid a string of suicides in Tamil Nadu that prompted Chief Minister MK Stalin to make an emotional appeal last week to students stricken by the outcome of the test. Over the past few years, 15 medical aspirants have died by suicide in the state.
The scandal came to light following a string of suicides by students who were emotionally stricken by the results of the NEET in Tamil Nadu, prompting TN Chief Minister MK Stalin to make an emotional appeal last week.