NEET Cheat: Kerala HC directs NTA to conduct investigation on the manipulation of a NEET aspirant's OMR sheet  

The Kerala High Court has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) that conducts entrance examinations for admission to higher educational institutions, to conduct an investigation into the alleged manipulation of the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet of a candidate in Kerala who attended the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Considering the petition filed by Rithu Sibi of Thrissur, who attended the NEET 2021 exam conducted on September 12, seeking a CBI probe into the alleged manipulation, Justice N Nagaresh asked the NTA to consider all the material placed by the petitioner, conduct an investigation and submit a report before the court on or before November 8.

The petitioner sought a directive to forthwith produce the original OMR sheet before the court. In the OMR sheet, the signature of the petitioner is allegedly seen to be manipulated and the names of the petitioner's mother and father are wrongly mentioned. The name of her mother is Mini John C. However, in the OMR sheet, it is shown as Mini Johna C. The writings in the OMR sheet are not that of the petitioner. The roll number in the numerical does not tally with the bubbled portion, she submitted.

She also has serious doubts over the left-hand thumb impression seen in the OMR sheet. She added that she has made the allegations in the petition with absolute conviction and honesty, and after being aware of the consequences arising from making such statements. "Taking into consideration all these aspects, this court is of the view that an inquiry in the matter is required," said the court.