75 percent attendance despite 4 month absence! TN University probes BDS student's records after 'special treatment' allegations
Chennai: The attendance record of a third-year BDS student at the Government Dental College and Hospital in Pudukkottai has come under scrutiny following allegations that his records were allegedly manipulated to show that he met the mandatory attendance requirement to appear for the university examination despite reportedly being absent for nearly four months.
Taking note of the allegation that the college provided 'special treatment' to the student, the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University has initiated an inquiry in the matter.
The allegations were made by students who submitted a complaint to the university registrar and the controller of examinations on August 11, alleging that the third-year student, who got admission under All India Quota (AIQ), remained absent from March to July and had fallen short of the required 75% attendance.
However, despite the attendance shortage, the student's records were updated to show sufficient attendance, they alleged.
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Questioning the possibility, the students reportedly accused an assistant professor at the college, along with the administration and office staff, of helping the student in the malpractice, reports the New Indian Express
They further alleged that the student was issued a hall ticket and allowed to appear for the university semester examination even after the complaint was submitted. The assistant professor accused of helping the student was allegedly also the invigilator during the examination.
The students made another allegation that the student's answer sheet was half completed even before he entered the examination hall. They said that the assistant professor who helped third-year student is running a NEET coaching centre in Puducherry, where the student worked.
As their previous complaint was not fruitful, the students on August 28 sourced the original attendance registers and forwarded them to the university.
Following the complaint, the university sent an email to the dean of the college, asking him to submit the original attendance record of the student, as per TNIE sources.
Commenting on this, Dr S Pushkala, university vice chancellor (in-charge), told the daily, "The ‘exemplary discipline committee’ of the university is conducting a detailed inquiry on the allegations. Once the inquiry is over, the report will be submitted to the health secretary. Based on the report, only the Directorate of Medical Education and Research can take action."
