New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had requested to the Supreme Court to not cancel the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) despite several massive irregularities. It said that the culprits, who had cheated in the exam, can be thrown out even at a later stage when their complicity is established.
The apex court reserved its order on pleas seeking cancellation of the AIPMT for alleged large-scale irregularities till June 15.
The SC vacation bench of Justices RK Agrawal and Amitava Roy said that it will pass the order on Monday (June 15).
The court, however, indicated it may cancel the test as it said that an exam which has become suspect in people’s minds cannot be held valid.
“The examination stands vitiated even if one student is being benefited illegally,” the bench noted.
“We are not holding CBSE guilty as such. Taking into consideration the past such incidents, CBSE ought to have been cognisant of these things. It had been happening for last two to three years,” it said.
CBSE had filed its affidavit which sought a permission of the court to issue the merit list of candidates so as to avert disturbing the entire academic schedule for 2015-16.
Notify that the result was to be declared on June 5 but the top court has stayed it after a batch of petitions by the students and parents demanded a re-test in the wake of irregularities in conducting the exam on May 3. Several arrests have taken place from across the country and incriminating materials have also been recovered from a few candidates.
The court has fixed the case for a hearing on Friday when it would examine the investigation report and may take a call on the plea for a re-test. The apex court had postpone the date to 15 June for another hearing and postpone the result too.
In its affidavit, CBSE stated: “Even after the declaration of result for the current examination, the police authorities can continue with the investigation process and the culprits, who are identified to have used unfair means, can be booked by the Board and actions can be taken according to the rules”.
The CBSE pointed out that weeding out candidates who used illicit means was possible before the start of the new academic session since medical colleges have a deadline of September 30 to finish all admissions.
CBSE had expressed difficulties in conducting a re-test and said that arrangements would require at least 120 days after it gets a free Sunday all over the country with availability of 1060 centres and requisite number of police personnel, invegilators and other staff.
Bureau Report
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