NEET candidate alleges manipulation in OMR sheet: HC orders NTA to conduct enquiry

Further, the bench comprising of Justice N. Nagaresh has directed the NTA, the body responsible for conducting the centralized medical entrance test across India, to submit the report of the investigation before the High Court on or before November 8.

"Accordingly, there shall be a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider the entire materials that have been placed by the petitioner and conduct an investigation and submit a report before this Court on or before 08.11.2021," noted the bench on Monday.

The petitioner student approached the Court and alleged that after perusing the OMR sheet attached to her application number she found that her signature in the OMR sheet was manipulated and further the names of her parents were also not written by her. In fact, the names written on the OMR sheet are slightly different from the actual ones, it has been alleged in the plea.

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Besides, the petitioner also expressed serious doubt regarding the left hand thumb impression seen in the OMR sheet. The student has pointed out that the writings in the OMR sheet is not of the petitioner and the roll number in the numerical doesn't match with the bubbled portion.

Advocate Sri Rajit appeared on the behalf of the petitioner before the High Court bench.

The bench after taking note of the submission made by the petitioner that she has made the allegations in this writ petition with absolute conviction and honesty and after being aware of the consequences arising from making such statements, the HC bench opined that an inquiry in the matter is required.

Thus, the High Court bench directed the National Testing Agency (NTA), the responsible agency for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) to conduct an investigation into the matter and submit a report as well.

"Accordingly, there shall be a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider the entire materials that have been placed by the petitioner and conduct an investigation and submit a report before this Court on or before 08.11.2021," noted the HC bench in its order.