If only the Bangalore University had heeded to a Syndicate sub-committee, the fake marks card racket would have been busted three years ago.
Following allegations of cheating during the 2011 undergraduate exams, the Syndicate had formed an observers’ committee headed by then Syndicate member Narayana Swamy.
The committee’s report had pointed fingers at people involved in the racket. “We had mentioned names. But the authorities took no action,” said a former Syndicate member who was on the committee.
Interestingly, the report had identified an Innova car allegedly used by the frauds. “We gathered evidence about the vehicle and discussed it with then registrar of evaluation, but the authorities claimed it belonged to the university, and did not conduct an inquiry,” said another former Syndicate member.
However, following the report, the university changed the custodians for the BBM and B.Com examinations. It initiated no other action.
After the Big Fish Was Caught
Earlier this week, a former Syndicate member was taken into custody for fudging marks for money. Following the police action, Bangalore University has stopped work at the Department of Distance Education.
The university was about to declare the results for distance education examinations held in December 2013.
Vice-Chancellor Dr B Thimme Gowda said, “The arrested man was working with the Distance Education Department and so we have decided not to announce any results until a new person is given the charge and the documents are verified again.”
The university had outsourced exam work to many people and those accused in the case have been removed from their positions. “We have also issued notices to others,” Thimme Gowda said.
Automation Helped Cheats
Since the day university was launched, printed marks cards were being manually verified by the varsity staff. But, three years ago, manual verification was stopped, and the change was not brought to the notice of the Syndicate.
Dr Ninge Gowda, Registrar (Evaluation), was surprised to hear about this change.
“We don’t know at what level it was stopped. We have resumed the practice and hired more people for the purpose,” he told Express.