Karnataka: MBBS student who allegedly faked disability, likely to loose her seat

Bengaluru: A medical student, who is alleged to have faked a hearing impairment to get admission at Bengaluru's Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), has run into trouble with the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), which has found that the student submitted a fake disability certificate to gain admission under the Government Quota for the year 2012-13. She was to complete her MBBS in the year 2017-2018. However, The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has withdrawn the medical seat of the student Indian Express Reports

Mahesh Babu, the girl's father, is planning to 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 alleges.

The officials looking into the matter were taken aback, when they saw that the student who had managed to get the seat, under the physically disabled quota, was examined by a panel of three doctors, one of whom happened to be her own father, an ENT specialist, at the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. The 3 panelist were determined to see her being awarded the medical seat.

In 2014, a complaint was received by KEA officials that the candidate's submitted certificate was false, which initiated an investigation.The Executive Director, KEA cancelled the candidate's seat on April 5, 2017, after a few verification rounds.

National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences experts also submitted a report stating that the candidate did not suffer from a hearing impairment.

Officials of the Medical Education Department plan to issue a show cause notice to her father, and other doctors on the panel, that declared her with a hearing disability.

Principal, KIMS, Chandre Gowda claimed that they had yet to receive a seat cancellation instruction. He however, stated that the college had received several letters from the KEA, regarding 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 told the Hindu.