NEET delay row: Bengaluru police say candidate missed cut-off time due to late departure from home

Bengaluru: Police has denied claims that traffic congestion caused by a political party event prevented a NEET aspirant from reaching the examination centre on time.Issuing a clarification, police said they reconstructed the candidate’s movements on the day of the examination by using CCTV footage, route analysis, and interactions with the candidate and parents.

The fact-check analysis showed that the candidate left home in RT Nagar at 12.57pm, just 33 minutes before the 1.30pm cut-off time for entry into the examination centre.The candidate reached the examination centre at 1.33pm, three minutes after the deadline, and was denied entry. Police claimed the candidate chose a longer travel route, despite the availability of quicker alternatives. Investigators further noted that traffic conditions across the city remained largely normal, with no significant congestion linked to the public event that was being blamed for the delay.The clarification comes amid political blame and widespread discussions on social media. Home minister Priyank Kharge Sunday clarified that three candidates missed the exam in Bengaluru. One student carried an old hall ticket, while another student from Magadi could not get a bus on time and reached the centre late.