E-Paper
Beed mass copying case: Criminal cases filed against centre head, 16 teachers
Police file criminal cases against 17 teachers, including centre director, in connection with mass copying incident reported at examination centre in Beed district
PUNE: In a body blow to the administration’s ‘copy-free campaign’ during the board examinations, the police on February 11 registered criminal cases against 17 teachers including the centre director in connection with a mass copying incident reported at an examination centre in Beed district.
The mass copying incident was brought to light by a video captured by a drone during the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)/class 12 English exam held on February 10 at the Arts, Science and Commerce Junior College, Chousala, Beed. Further investigation, including a review of the CCTV footage from the examination centre, revealed that the centre director and several teachers were directly assisting the students in copying. The footage allegedly showed members of the supervisory staff supplying answer material to the students during the examination.
Taking serious note of the incident, the district collector of Beed ordered that criminal cases be registered against those involved. Following a complaint lodged by Samandar Khan, group education officer, Beed Panchayat Samiti, a case has been filed against the centre director and 16 other teachers at Neknoor police station. The accused have been booked under sections 7 and 8 of the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act, 1982; along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police are further probing the matter.
Earlier, CCTV footage and DVR recordings from the examination centre were seized on the orders of the district collector. Of the 16 classrooms at the centre, only seven were found equipped with CCTV cameras. Review of the available footage confirmed the active involvement of the supervisory staff in facilitating the copying. Unidentified outsiders are likely to have assisted in supplying the copying material.
Board officials said, “The centre director has been replaced with immediate effect, and the process of changing the entire supervisory staff is underway. A recommendation has also been made to the divisional board at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to cancel the examination centre. Additionally, the English answer sheets of all students at the centre are being sent to the divisional board for action as per the board rules.”
While there have been incidents of copying in the past, this is the first time that criminal cases have been registered against a centre director and teachers in the district.
Acting chairman of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), Nandkumar Bedse, emphasised that the board has zero tolerance for such irregularities. “This is a serious malpractice during examinations, and we have taken strict action against those responsible. Our priority remains a fair and transparent examination for every student, and any breach of this will be dealt with firmly,” he said.
Notwithstanding, the incident has dealt a serious blow to the board’s copy-free campaign during the board examinations.
