Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Apr 9: The students, whose results were nullified after an investigation found that they had indulged in mass copying, have got temporary reprieve from the state High Court. It may be recalled, that these students, who got top seven ranks in the postgraduate medical and dental courses common entrance test, had been punished by way of withdrawal of their ranks and results, after investigations including the one by the Lokayukta had found that all of them had appeared for the test from a single examination centre, and had  indulged in mass copying.

After taking up their petitions, High Court Justice, B S Patil, permitted them to take part in the counselling process that will begin from April 10. However, their admissions based on this counselling will be subject to the final verdict to be delivered later, the order clarified. The judge also asked the concerned to place all the original documents relevant to the case including those pertaining to Lokayukta investigation, before the bench on Monday.

If the allegations of irregularities levelled against these students are found to be valid, the entries into courses granted during the counselling will get cancelled. Otherwise, they can proceed with the courses.

In the meanwhile, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences got busy with drafting of revised rank list, after the High Court issued the order stated above. Principal secretary in the department of medical education, I M Vittal Murthy, said that there will not be any change in the fee structure this year. The future of several students will also depend on the final verdict of the High Court in the case, as their ranks will undergo change if these students are held guilty.