HC seeks report on examinees giving test in underwear

The Patna High Court on Tuesday sought a reply from Defence Secretary RK Mathur on how the Army forced the candidates, appearing for a recruitment examination, to write their papers in their underwear.

The court took suo motu cognizance of the report published in a vernacular daily. The incident took place in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district on Sunday where altogether 1,159 candidates, including those from general category, appeared for the written test for clerical grade.

Their medical and physical test had already been conducted between February 4 and February 12. But those appearing for written examination on Sunday were told to take off their clothes and sit only in underwear.

This, army sources said, was done to prevent cheating as in the past, complaints had poured in that candidates use their trousers and socks to hide “chits” and then indulge in copying.

“Our past experience has not been good. To ensure that there is no cheating/copying in the written examination, we were left with no option but to resort to this extreme step,” said Colonel BS Godhra, Director, Army Recruitment Board.

Sources said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has also sought a report from Army chief Dalbir Singh on this issue. The Patna High Court will, meanwhile, take up the matter for further hearing next month.

Naked truth

 Army sources said the move was to prevent cheating as in the past, complaints had poured in that candidates use their trousers and socks to hide “chits” and then indulge in copying.

Sources said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has also sought a report from Army chief Dalbir Singh on this issue.