NEET Frisking Horror: 5 arrested, NTA constitutes Fact Finding Committee

New Delhi: In the latest update regarding the controversial frisking at a National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) exam centre at Kollam district of Kerala, where female students had to remove their underwear before entering the exam hall, five people have been arrested in this connection.

The five women who have now been detained by the police were on NEET exam duty in the educational institute in Kerala, where the incident happened. While three women work for an agency hired by National Testing Agency (NTA), two work for the private educational institute at Ayur, adds PTI.

Police told the agency that they were arrested after hours-long interrogation by police probing the case.

Besides, the NTA has also constituted a Fact-finding Committee to ascertain the facts on the spot. The members of the NTA committee include Dr. Sadhana Parashar, Senior Director of NTA, Smt. Shylaja O R, Principal of Saraswathi Vidyalaya Arappura, and Ms Suchitra Shyjinth.

The action from NTA came after the Union Education Ministry issued direction to the agency in this regard. The Fact-Finding committee has been asked to submit its report within 4 weeks.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kerala police registered a case in this matter. A case was registered under sections 354 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code at the Chadayamangalam police station under the Kollam Rural police district.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that an exam centre near Ayoor in Kollam, Mar Thoma Institute of Information Technology, made around 90 female students to take off their underwear while frisking before entering the exam hall.

Furious with the incident, the parent of a student filed a complaint before Kollam rural SP. "After completing primary search, my daughter was asked to remove her inner wear because the metal detector has found some metal in her innerwear. When she refused to comply, she was told that she won't be allowed to appear for the exam, thus forcing her to do so. After the humiliating experience he lost all confidence. Her hard work has been wasted. We don't think the exam will be conducted again and probably my daughter may not make it," the parent had earlier mentioned.

Reportedly, the parent of the student alleged that girls were forced to remove their innerwear before being permitted to sit for the exam and they had to give the exam along with other students who were boys as well as male invigilators, which made the girls uncomfortable affected them mentally, adds ANI.

Citing the National Testing Agency's guidelines, the parent also highlighted that according to the norms mandated by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET had not mentioned any ban on any form of brassiere (bra) and hooks'.

"They were very uncomfortable. The guideline issued by NTA had not mentioned any ban on bras and hooks. We were following all guidelines. But the staff did not allow them to enter the classroom without removing inner-wear," he added.

Taking cognizance of the issue, the State Human Rights Commission has asked the Kollam rural SP to submit a report in this regard within 15 days.

Also Read: Female NEET candidates asked to remove undergarments while frisking, Human Rights Commission seeks report

However, earlier NTA in a recent statement had clarified that no such incident had been reported from the said centre. NTA mentioned in the statement, "On the issue of a media report that a candidate appearing for NEET(UG) at the Mar Thoma Institute of Information Technology, Ayur, Kollam, on 17 July was asked to remove her innerwear, it is informed that — on the receipt of the report, immediate comments of the Centre Superintendent and the Independent Observer as well as the City Coordinator, Kollam district, were obtained. All three of them have, inter alia, stated that they did not find any such incident happening in the centre. The candidate did take the examination."

"There was no representation/ complaint to any one during or immediately after the examination. Nor has the NTA received any email/ complaint in this regard," it further added.

Meanwhile, Kerala Higher Education Minister Dr. R Bindu wrote to the Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. The letter stated, "The shame and shock of this unexpected turn of events have affected the morale and composure of the students whose whose performance in the test was consequently affected."

"I write to place on record that we take strong exception to such inhuman behaviour from an agency that has only been entrusted with the task of conducting the examination in a fair manner. I strongly recommend action against the agency to prevent future occurrences of a similar nature request your intervention in the matter," it added.

As per the latest media report by the Hindustan Times, taking cognizance of the matter, the Union Education Ministry directed NTA to send a team at the spot. Issuing a statement in this regard, the Union Education Ministry mentioned, "In view of the above, the Ministry of Education has asked the NTA to ascertain all the facts about the incident on the spot from stakeholders present at the Centre at that time. Accordingly, a Fact Finding Committee has been constituted by the NTA to ascertain the facts in detail. Further action will be taken based on the report of the Fact Finding Committee."

Consequently, the NTA Fact Finding Committee has been directed to-

1. To visit on the spot and verify the facts of the matter after talking to all concerned persons. 

2. To see whether the security/frisking Protocols of NTA as detailed in "Chapter 9: Barred Items and Dress Code" of Information Bulletin, as well as Chapter 3: Para 3.13 of NTA NEET(UG)-2022 Guidelines for City Coordinators, Centre Superintendents, Observers & Invigilators, were followed.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken cognizance of the matter and issuing a release, the Commission mentioned, "The Commission has taken serious note of the reported incident which is shameful and outrageous to the modesty of young girls. Chairperson Ms Rekha Sharma has written to Chairperson, National Testing Agency to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations levelled by the girl students and to take appropriate action in accordance with law against the responsible. The Commission has also sought a time-bound investigation in the matter."

"The Commission has also written to Director General of Police, Kerala to conduct a fair investigation in matter and to register FIR under the relevant provisions of law, if the allegations are found to be true. The action taken must be apprised to the Commission within 3 days," the release added.

Also Read: Mass Rigging in NEET 2022: CBI busts racket, 8 held