Inspector General TJ Jose caught cheating in LLM exam, debarred

Kochi: The Mahatma Gandhi University on Monday debarred Thrissur range Inspector-General of Police T.J. Jose from appearing for the LLM examinations after he was caught red-handed for cheating in the exams conducted at St Paul's College, Kalamassery.

Mr Jose was attending the second paper of Indian Constitution LLM improvement exams. He  wrote the first paper on Saturday and the next exam is scheduled for  Tuesday. With the university debarring him, he will not be able to attend the third exam.

According to MG University Vice Chancellor Babu Sebastian,  Mr  Jose attempted to copy from the photostat of study materials, including a guide.

“A report in this regard from St Paul’s College was sent to me immediately after the incident. I considered the report and entrusted deputy registrar (examinations) A. C. Babu to look into the matter and file a report within 24 hours,” Mr Babu Sebastian told Deccan Chronicle.

Meanwhile, the state police also initiated a departmental inquiry into the issue and  police chief K.G. Balasubramaniam  asked northern region ADGP Shankar Reddy to investigate the matter.

According to sources at the St Paul's College, the invigilator noticed the malpractice by the IG and he asked him to hand over the copies he allegedly used to cheat. However, the  IG without handing them over walked out of  the exam hall.

The invigilator reported the matter to the college authorities. After verifying the hall ticket and other details,  it was confirmed that  Mr  Jose was the person who walked out.

“The incident is an insult to Kerala and Kerala police. The IGP has been asked to go on compulsory leave immediately,” Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told reporters in Kozhikode on Monday night. Mr Jose, however, refuted the allegations. He said he had written the examination and would appear for Tuesday’s paper as well.