‘Cheating’ during NET: KU approaches CBSE

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, July 19

Kurukshetra University (KU) has asked the CBSE to investigate into allegations of irregularities in the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted here on July 8.

Prof Sham Kumar, Dean, Academic Affairs, told The Tribune on Thursday that it was beyond KU’s jurisdiction to summon and question teachers and non-teaching staff, who were assigned exam duty.

“Several teachers and non-teaching staff were from institutes other than the KU. The university has no authority to question them in an inquiry. Hence the KU has decided to approach the CBSE for the investigation,” said Kumar.

The UGC NET exam was held at University College, which is on the KU campus.

Following media reports that some teachers from the KU and other institutes from outside Kurukshetra allegedly helped a few students in cheating, Vice-Chancellor KC Sharma had appointed a four-member committee on July 13 under the chairmanship of Prof Kumar for an internal probe.

Kumar said since there was no written complaint regarding the exam, the university took suo motu notice of media reports.

“The KU had no role in planning or conducting the exam. The CBSE had conducted the NET. Hence, it is inappropriate for the university to pursue an inquiry,” he said.

A KU spokesperson said University College had not asked for approval from the university to conduct the UGC-NET.

“University Colleges assigned duties of exam observers and invigilators,” the Dean said, adding the Chief Security Officer and the university authorities had been asked to keep the footage of CCTV cameras and documents pertaining to the exam duty.

“The panel is of the view that if the CBSE probe finds members of the KU faculty or other officials guilty of misconduct, strict action should be initiated against them. The KU will help the CBSE in investigating the matter,” he added.

On Monday, state National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) president Divanshu Budhiraja had filed a complaint with the CBSE’s regional office in Panchkula, demanding an investigation into the alleged irregularities during the UGC NET.