HC Seeks Response from NTA on NEET 2024 Candidate's Claim of Torn OMR Sheet
Delhi High Court
New Delhi: While considering the plea by a 19-year-old NEET candidate seeking grace marks for receiving a torn OMR sheet, the Delhi High Court bench has asked the National Testing Agency (NTA) to notify its stand on the matter.
The HC bench comprising Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the NTA and the Centre and directed the preservation of her original OMR (Optical mark recognition (sheet). OMR sheet for exams is a pre-printed paper security document and contains personal information of the candidate like name, date of birth etc.
"List for disposal on 8 July 2024. The respondents are directed to preserve the original OMR sheets relating to the petitioner in this case," the HC bench was quoted noting by PTI in the order dated May 20, 2024.
As per the petitioner, she appeared in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024 examination on May 5 and found that the seal cover, first page of the question paper of the physics portion and the OMR sheet were torn vertically.
Also Read: NEET 2024 Exam Scam in Vadodara: School Principal among 2 More Arrested
She mentioned that a new question paper and OMR sheet was provided to her after a delay of around 30 minutes. But she was given only 10 extra minutes to complete her examination.
The petition alleged that she suffered due to NTA’s conduct as she was denied a fresh OMR sheet for around 30 minutes and was finally provided with a fresh OMR sheet and question paper after an "unreasonable delay".
She claimed that she had already attempted 60 questions in the old question paper and could not attempt all questions in the new question paper properly with focus and concentration.
"Petitioner is severely prejudiced because of the act of the Respondent No.1, as she was not treated in parity with the other candidates due to the events which transpired inside the examination hall. She was not given an occasion to complete the paper in the same manner as the other examinees as her OMR sheet was torn," the petition said.
"In light of the foregoing facts and circumstances it is most respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to… Issue a writ of declaration or any appropriate writ, order or direction to direct Respondent No.1 to give grace marks to the Petitioner," the plea urged the court.
Medical Dialogues had reported that the NEET UG aspirants have been demanding re-conduction of the exam citing the reports of paper-leak in the common entrance test for admission to UG medical courses. Earlier, around 13 people, including four examinees and their family members were arrested in Bihar for their alleged involvement in the paper leak of NEET-UG exam.
Patna police sources had previously claimed that the NEET-UG question papers along with their answers were provided to around 20 aspirants a day before the date of the exam i.e. May 5, 2024.
Then, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, which took over the investigation, revealed that the brokers involved in the NEET paper leak scam took between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 50 lakh from each of the medical aspirants in exchange of giving them the question paper of the NEET UG 2024 question paper ahead of the examination.
Recently a PIL was filed before the Patna High Court demanding cancellation of the exam and seeking an investigation of the paper leak scam by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Supreme Court is also considering a similar plea concerning NEET paper leak scam. However, the Apex Court bench refused to grant a stay on the exam results.
