6 more cases of foul play suspected: Kerala man held in Neet impersonation
Sources also revealed that the family had planned to commit suicide during their hideout at Tirupati.
CHENNAI: The ongoing NEET impersonation fraud is getting murkier by the day with the ongoing CB-CID investigations revealing the possible presence of a larger racket in the state. At least six more students are believed to have been admitted to the state medical colleges using the NEET scores of proxies. Meanwhile, during a media interaction on Friday, Dr Narayana Babu, Director, DME informed that 'biometric system' will be introduced starting from next academic year to verify the credentials of students.
The NEET fraud came to light when Udit Surya KV, a first-year student of Theni medical college was found to have used an impersonator to clear his NEET exams. The accused and his father Dr Venkatesan were arrested by the police on Wednesday and confessed to the crime during the subsequent CB-CID interrogation. The investigation has revealed that Dr Venkatesan sought the help of two people-a middle man and a broker from Mumbai to arrange for an impersonator. He came to this decision after Udit failed to clear NEET for two consecutive years.
The coaching centre which Udit Surya attended in Mumbai is also believed to have suggested the idea to Dr Venkatesan, who then hired a proxy to take up the exam instead of his son. During the interrogation which lasted for several hours on Thursday, he informed the investigating officials of having paid Rs 20 lakhs to the agents - Rs 1 lakh before the exam and the remaining amount after the impersonator cleared the exam. Efforts are underway to nab the agent and impersonator in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, George Joseph, a native of Kerala who runs a NEET coaching centre at Thiruvananthapuram has been arrested in relation with the case.
Meanwhile, George Joseph, a native of Kerala who runs a NEET coaching centre at Thiruvananthapuram has been arrested in relation with the case.
Reportedly, Udit Surya earlier pursued MBBS from a college in China on his father’s insistence and had discontinued. He is also said to have contemplated discontinuing his medical studies during his short stint at Theni medical college.
Sources also revealed that the family had planned to commit suicide during their hideout at Tirupati.
The father-son duo was remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a magistrate court.