Following revelation that an impersonator had been attending classes on behalf of a first-year medical student in Theni Medical College, medical colleges across the state have begun re-verifying the certificates of all the first-year MBBS students.
According to reports, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) had instructed all the medical colleges in Tamil Nadu to verify the records of all the students admitted to first year of MBBS. If any student had gone on leave, he or she must report back at the college for verification of documents.
The order from the DME came after an alleged case of impersonation – where the student who cleared NEET and the student who has been attending first year classes are different – surfaced. The dean of Theni Medical College allegedly received tip-offs about this on his email.
The student who had written NEET, cleared it and was given allotment order to attend classes in Theni Medical college allegedly stopped attending classes after 20 days. In his place, another student started attending first year classes in the college.
Based on the information, inquiry was conducted in the college by a team led by the dean which found that there is difference between the photo of a student pasted on his application form and his present appearance. The dean had sent the inquiry report to the DME, which instructed the dean to file a police complaint on the issue.
The police registered an FIR under Sections 120(B) (Criminal conspiracy), 419 (Cheating by personation) and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code. The Theni Police also stated that after questioning the candidate, sections 468 (Forgery) and 471 (Using a forged document) may be added to the FIR.
Meanwhile, the family and the student who was allegedly involved in impersonation have been missing from their house in Chennai.
A total of 3,250 seats are available at the 23 government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu, which have been filled with students under the All-India quota and the state quota. Students who have cleared NEET are only eligible to be admitted into medical colleges across the country.
Source: The News Minute