A medical student was to complete her MBBS in 2017-18 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) is in trouble after the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) found that she had submitted a fake disability certificate to obtain a medical seat under the government quota in 2012-2013.
What stumped officials investigating the matter is that the student, who obtained a seat under the physically disabled quota, was examined by a panel of three doctors that included her father, an ENT specialist at the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. The panel had determined that she be awarded the seat.
Officials received a complaint that the candidate’s certificate was false in 2014, after which an investigation was initiated. The KEA’s executive director cancelled her seat on April 5, 2017 after several rounds of verification. Experts from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences also submitted a report stating that the candidate did not have any hearing impairment.
Medical Education Department officials said they plan to issue a show-cause notice to her father and the other doctors who were on the panel.
Chandre Gowda, principal of KIMS, said they have not received any information regarding seat cancellation. The college, however, had received several letters from KEA about the case. “In the past, too, we would get letters asking us not to allow her to take the exam. Then they would ask us to allow her to appear for the exams, saying a final decision would be made after the inquiry is complete. She is currently pursuing her internship,” he said.
Mahesh Babu, the girl’s father, said they would pursue the matter legally. “How can they suddenly cancel the seat when she is in her final year? Her hearing impairment has improved gradually with time,” he said.
