Kerala HC Orders Police Authorities To Probe In Matter Of Alleged Forgery Of NEET Scorecard
A Kerala High Court Bench of Justice PV Kunhikrishnan has directed the Police authorities to hold an enquiry in a matter of alleged manipulation in the NEET scorecard of a candidate.
Counsel N Anand, Counsel Bijith S Khan, Counsel Rajesh O N and Counsel Jimnad B appeared for the petitioner. Deputy Solicitor General of India S Manu and Counsel Nirmal S appeared for the respondents.
In this case, a NEET candidate filed a writ petition, contending that he had secured 468 marks out of 720 in the exam, but a certificate reflecting only 16 marks was posted on the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The NTA contended that the document produced by the petitioner was not in its records, and it appeared to be forged or manipulated.
Subsequently, the Court held that a Police enquiry would be necessary before the petition could be decided. In light of the same, the Court suo moto impleaded the District Police Chief as an additional respondent and directed that an enquiry must be conducted and a report must be submitted before the Court within four weeks.
The Court also clarified that if any criminal offence is found in the matter, the Police authorities are free to register a case and investigate it in accordance with law, without waiting for any further orders from the Court.
The matter has been posted for further consideration on June 30, 2023.
Cause Title: Samikhan S v. Union of India & Ors.
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