MBBS exam scam surfaces from Rohtak University- Students allegedly rewrote answer sheets using erasable ink pens

Rohtak: A massive scam involving MBBS examination papers has surfaced at Pt BD Sharma University of Health Sciences (UHS), Rohtak where university staff allegedly charged large sums from students to help them clear a particular subject by allowing to rewrite their answer sheets using erasable ink pens and textbook reference.

As per The Tribune news report, despite having already completed the examination, the students obtained their answer sheets, corrected them with the help of textbooks at one of the employee's residences, and then submitted the revised answer sheets for evaluation. However, obtaining the submitted answer sheets was not free of charge. The students reportedly paid between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh per subject to the scammers for assistance in clearing the exam. 

The alleged scam came to light when an MBBS student filed a complaint with university authorities, exposing the racket in a recorded video. The video showed how the answer sheets were tampered with by the students under the supervision of the employees after exams were conducted. 

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The complaint alleged that the students wrote their exams using erasable ink pens during the examination. After the exam was over, the answer sheets were smuggled out of the university. Then, the student erased the original answers using hair dryers, and the answers were rewritten with textbook references before being submitted for evaluation.

When the matter gained the attention of the university authorities, a preliminary investigation was conducted which revealed that five employees were involved with the scam. They allegedly took cash payments from the students and helped them clear out the exams. They even leaked MBBS semester exam papers for the students. 

According to the complaint, the employees were not only involved in MBBS exams but also in assisting students to pass other competitive exams, such as NEET-UG and the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination. The malpractice also extended to bypassing rules that require invigilators to cross-mark all blank pages in answer sheets after the exam, a measure intended to prevent tampering.

In response to a preliminary investigation report, Dr HK Aggarwal, Vice-Chancellor of Pt BD Sharma University of Health Sciences (UHS), Rohtak, suspended two employees and terminated the services of three outsourced staff members directly associated with the examination branch. They have been transferred and asked to cooperate with the inquiry. 

A three-member fact-finding committee, led by Dr MK Garg, Director of Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College, Karnal, has been constituted to probe the matter. Other members include Dr Sukhdev Chandla, Professor Incharge, IT cell, UHS, and Dr Arun Kumar, Professor Incharge, Recruitment and Establishment Branch, UHS. The panel has been asked to submit its report within a month.

The action against the employees was taken after preliminary investigations revealed that two separate online transactions were made by students to outsourced employees, following instructions from the scammers.

Meanwhile, the video footage provided by the complainant showed students sitting on a bed and chairs, rewriting their answer sheets under the supervision of the employee. However, the committee will verify the authenticity of the video, and the students shown in it will be questioned soon.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dr HK Aggarwal said, "Anyone found involved in the racket will not be spared and stern action will be taken. We have already suspended two employees and discontinued the services of three outsourced staff members pending the inquiry. The students seen in the video will be questioned by the committee." 

To ensure that such incidents do not recur, Dr Aggarwal issued orders to implement an on-the-spot evaluation system for exams across medical and paramedical courses. He assured that all employees posted in the Secrecy and Examination branches of the university would be questioned and strict action would be taken against them if found guilty.

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