Thiruvananthapuram: An inquiry by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has found that there was an attempt at malpractice in the common proficiency test (CPT) it conducted at the Government Arts College on June 19. A student was caught using mobile phone inside the examination hall by the invigilators.
It is alleged that the candidate identified as Ajith took the photos of questions and sent the same to an unknown number through WhatsApp and received answers. This is the first such incident of malpractice in the CA examination reported in the country. The committee appointed by the ICAI for looking into the complaint recommended debarring the student, but did not press for criminal charges, sources said.
The committee also recommended that the invigilators should check candidates for smart watches, smart phones and other electronic devices. They should be educated on the latest methods used by students for cheating in the examinations. An article warning against malpractices should be published in the CA students’ journal, the committee report said.
Mr R. Srinivasan, chairman Thiruvananthapuram branch of the ICAI, told Deccan Chronicle that the examinations were being directly conducted by the ICAI headquarters in Delhi. The malpractice was reported to the headquarters by the invigilators. The branch here has no direct role in the issue. Moreover, the inquiry was directly conducted by the ICAI headquarters. “Hence, I am not aware of the content of the inquiry report,” Mr Srinivasan said.
