Kalam society' in the dock
They promised to pay the qualifying students from Rs 500 to Rs 1 Lakh depending on the score in the test.
Hyderabad: As many as 400 students were cheated by the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Welfare Society, which promised scholarships of up to Rs 1 lakh to students and collected Rs 240 from each of them for a qualifying test.
According to the Asifnagar police, the trust which has its branch office in Santosh Nagar, announced the nationwide talent test for students from classes IV to X. They promised to pay the qualifying students from Rs 500 to Rs 1 Lakh depending on the score in the test.
“They collected Rs 240 from each student and announced the date as May 22. Around 400 students were placed at Narayanamma High School centre.” Asifnagar inspector P. Venkateswarlu said. On Sunday at about 12.45 pm, the question papers arrived in an autorickshaw, but the organisers did not turn up. Parents approached the police.
Police registered a case of cheating against the organisation and launched a hunt to trace the organisers. Their website showed Gaddala Narshimhulu, as president, Omkar Uma, Dontula Malleshwar Rao, Shaik Ali and Md Sirajuddin Ahmed as the directors and Francis Dais as secretary. The website also had a post saying that the test was conducted in 2000 centres. Police is investigating.