A mobile phone hidden in a school wash tank has landed an 18-year-old NEET candidate in the re-test in police custody in Hyderabad.The candidate was allegedly caught using the phone to seek answers during the re-examination of the National Eligibility as Entrance Test (NEET) held on Sunday at a government school in Ragannaguda under Adibatla police station limits.According to the police, the student had planned the act before entering the examination hall.
The phone is allegedly hidden before the exam
Investigators said the candidate, a resident of Achampet, arrived at the school around 7 AM, several hours before the exam.“According to his plan to cheat, the student came to the school around 7 AM and placed a mobile phone in the bathroom fan,” said the police.The bathroom was located next to the wall of the school compound, which allowed them to access the ventilator from outside, officials said.Around 11 AM, shortly before the examination, he allegedly entered the bathroom again, placed the cell phone in a zip-lock cover and hid it in the flush tank.What makes the incident remarkable is that the exam center had already undergone several security checks.The police said that the premises were inspected twice, once at 6 AM and again at 11 AM. Candidates were also kicked out before entering the examination centre. However, the mobile phone hidden inside the flush tank went unnoticed during these checks.
The long visit to the washrooms raises suspicions
During the exam, the student complained of stomach pain and asked permission to use the bathroom.The bathroom was the only common facility available in the center and it was located some distance from the main school building.According to the police, the supervisor became suspicious after the applicant spent an unusually long time inside.After waiting for some time, the examination staff was sent to check him.“The accused was caught red-handed in the bathroom looking for active answers on his mobile phone,” the police said.
Phone seized, case registered
After the alert, police personnel stationed at the center seized the device.A preliminary inspection of the phone showed that the applicant was allegedly using Google Chrome to search for answers. In addition to Instagram, the investigators did not find any other active applications of concern on the device.During interrogation, the applicant admitted to the act, the police said.Based on a complaint filed by the school administration, a case was registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.The accused remains in police custody and further investigations are underway.The incident comes at a time when examination authorities across the country are under pressure to strengthen security measures and prevent unfair practices in high-stakes entrance exams.(with agency inputs)
