NEET candidate caught in Hyderabad using phone hidden in exam centre flush tank

An 18-year-old NEET aspirant was caught allegedly using a mobile phone hidden inside the toilet flush to search for answers during the NEET re-examination at a government school in Ragannaguda on Sunday.

The candidate, a resident of Achampet, was caught at the examination center at ZPHS in Ragannaguda under Adibatla police station limits. Police said he claimed he had pre-planned the malpractice by hiding his mobile phone in the school premises before the examination began.

According to investigators, the student arrived at the school around 7 a.m. and allegedly placed a cellphone near the bathroom fan, which was accessible through a wall adjacent to the school. At around 11am before the investigation began, he allegedly entered the toilet and hid the device inside a zippered lid and then hid it in the flush tank.

Police said security personnel inspected the exam center at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. and all candidates were searched before entering the exam venue. However, the device hidden inside the washing tank could not be detected during the checks.

During the examination, the candidate complained of stomach pain and asked for permission to use the toilet. Because he had been there for an unusually long time, the supervisor instructed the staff to check on him. They allegedly found him in the toilet, searching for answers online using his hidden cell phone.

The police team working at the center was alerted and immediately seized the device. It was reported that during the preliminary examination carried out on the phone, it was determined that the candidate used a web browser to search for answers during the exam.

During the interrogation, the student allegedly admitted to the action. An investigation was launched against the person who was taken into custody upon the complaint of the school administration.

The police initiated an investigation against the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Further investigation is ongoing.