21 students booked for submitting fake PH certificates to claim medical seats

The Malleswaram police have registered an FIR against 21 students who allegedly submitted fake physically handicapped certificates to claim medical seats during the PG NEET counselling held recently.

Based on the complaint filed by the Administrative officer, Islahuddin J Gadyal, the students were booked under Sections 318 (cheating), 336 (forgery), 338 (forgery of valuable securities, wills, or authority to adopt a son, along with forgery of documents to receive money, property, or dividends), 340 (use of a forged document or electronic record as if it were genuine), 341 ( making or possessing of a counterfeit seal, plate, or other instrument with the intent to commit forgery) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) under BNS on Monday.

According to the complaint, the candidates, while applying for medical seats, did not opt PH category initially and later applied online during the revision provision claiming that they have hearing impairment.

As per the rules, the KEA, through the Directorate of Medical Education Committee, sent the candidates for the tests to Victoria Hospital and NIMHANS on July 17 to undergo an audiogram and a BERA (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test. The accused candidates submitted the copies, which, upon cross-checking, were found be to fake.

The reports submitted allegedly had forged signatures of doctors and authorities, which were originally from the general hospital in Hosapete. The authority concerned, after scrutiny, submitted a report to the KEA.

The KEA summoned the parents of three among the 21 candidates and conducted a probe, who made a written submission that four persons, identified as Bharamappa, Rajanna, Chandrashekhar, and Channakeshava, had helped them to create fake certificates and sourced them through Hosapete general hospital, Vijayanagar.

The police have initiated investigations to track down the source of the racket. The police have summoned the parents of the candidates and the four touts who were part of the racket for further investigation.