Answer script replaced, content defaming student written

The answer script of a particular subject of a diploma student was replaced to make her score zero. Besides, it had content defaming the character of the student concerned.

This came as a rude shock to the student studying Diploma in Electronics and Communication in an autonomous technical college in Bangalore. She got to know about it only when she took a copy of the answer script of a paper in fourth semester in which she had scored zero marks.

This student, daughter of an autorickshaw driver, has been a high scorer throughout. In the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination, she had scored 97 per cent marks. In the first three semesters of the diploma course, she had scored over 90 per cent marks. But, in the fourth semester, when she got zero marks in a particular subject, she was shocked. So, she applied for a copy of the answer script. And, when she saw the answer script, she not only found that the handwriting was not hers but also that the content in the answer script was not the answers instead it was some other content defaming her character. The student realised that some one had replaced the answer script deliberately to destroy her career and also to defame her.

She approached the Director of Technical Education with a complaint 20 days ago. As the inquiry was pending, she spoke to Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde on Wednesday about the incident.

Mr. Hegde referred her to Upalokayukta G. Patri Basavana Goud. The Upalokayukta held a meeting with Director of Technical Education H.U. Talwar, the principal of the college and other officials of the Directorate of Technical Education on Wednesday.

Mr. Talwar and the principal empathised with the student and briefed her about the decisions that have been taken so far. They said a decision would be taken on whether to conduct a separate examination for the student or to allot her the marks she deserves to set right the wrong that has happened in her case.

Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Talwar said based on the preliminary report submitted by the Joint Director, the Directorate recommended to State Government to place three invigilators under suspension. “We have also asked the Government to transfer other officials found guilty in the case,” he said. After submission of the final report, the case will be recommended for criminal action, he added.