JOIN USProbe confirms answer script fraud at RGUHS
With an internal inquiry and a report from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) confirming that the answer scripts of the postgraduate medical examinations conducted by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) in 2014 were interchanged, the university has now decided to lodge a police complaint seeking a detailed investigation into the irregularities.
“The internal probe by the university and the FSL report have confirmed that 19 answer scripts of 10 postgraduate students were interchanged. Thus, a decision has been taken to seek a detailed investigation by the police,” RGUHS Vice Chancellor Dr Ravindranath told Deccan Herald.
Ravindranath said investigation by the police was necessary to ascertain when and where the answer scripts were interchanged and who were involved in the irregularities.
A report will also be submitted to the Department of Medical Education to initiate necessary action. It has been decided not to issue marks cards and degree certificates to the accused students, he added. It has emerged that these students are from seven private medical colleges from across the State.
The scam came to light when the university received a letter from a student, Jayaprakash Ullas. The letter dated July 21, 2014, stated that the answer scripts of some students who had appeared for the postgraduate medical and dental examinations in April-May 2014 had been interchanged.
Following this, the university constituted an inquiry committee comprising Dr Rajesh Shenoy, senate and syndicate member, Dr M K Ramesh and Dr Kiran, both senate members. The panel was asked to examine the answer scripts of postgraduate medical, dental, Ayush and Pharmacy examinations conducted in 2014.
The committee gave a report that 1,630 medical students and 635 dental students had appeared for examination in different subjects. In all, 9,060 answer scripts were scrutinised by the committee which found that 19 answer scripts of 10 students had been interchanged.
After the committee’s report was tabled at the RGUHS syndicate meeting held on August 27, it was decided to send the answer scripts to FSL for examination. It was also decided to seek the assistance of the government-recognised Truth Labs.
Forensic examination confirmed that there were discrepancies in regard to stitching of the answer scripts and holograms on them, RGUHS Registrar (Evaluation) Dr S Sachidanand said. The letter by the student, which exposed the scam, points to the role of a private courier company that was involved that transported the answer scripts.