An 18-year-old NEET re-examination candidate from Hyderabad was detained by the police for hiding his mobile phone in the flush tank of the school washroom.The candidate was allegedly caught using his mobile phone to look for answers during the re-examination of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) held at a government school in Laganaghuda under Adibatra police station area on Sunday.According to police, the student planned the act before entering the exam room.
Allegedly hiding mobile phone before exam
Investigators said the candidate, a resident of Achampet, arrived at the school around 7 a.m., hours before the exam.“Following his cheating plan, the student came to school around 7 a.m. and placed his mobile phone on the bathroom vent,” police said.The restroom is located next to the school compound wall, allowing him to access the ventilator from outside, officials said.At around 11 a.m., shortly before the inspection, he allegedly entered the restroom again, placed his phone in a zip lock and hid it in the flush tank.It is worth noting that the examination room where this incident occurred has undergone multiple safety inspections.Police said the premises was inspected twice, once at 6am and again at 11am. Candidates are also searched before entering the exam center. However, the cell phone hidden inside the flush tank went unnoticed during the inspection.
Long trips to the bathroom arouse suspicion
During the examination, the student reportedly complained of stomach pain and asked for permission to use the restroom.The restrooms are the center’s only public facilities and are located some distance from the main academic building.According to police, the examinee stayed inside for an unusually long time and the invigilator became suspicious.After waiting for some time, inspectors were sent to check.“The defendant was actively using his mobile phone to find answers in the bathroom and was caught red-handed,” police said.
Mobile phone seized and case registered
After being alerted, police personnel stationed at the center seized the device.An initial examination of the phone showed the candidate was allegedly using Google Chrome to search for answers. Aside from Instagram, investigators did not find any other active apps of note on the device.During interrogation, the candidate admitted to the act, police said.Based on a complaint filed by the school administration, a case has been registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.The accused remains in police custody and further investigations are ongoing.The incident comes as exam authorities across the country are under pressure to tighten security measures and prevent unfair practices in high-stakes entrance exams.(Institutional investment)
