New Delhi: The Kerala police registered a case and launched an investigation into an alleged case of removal of undergarments during the esteemed National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test or NEET exam on Monday.
Several female students were allegedly asked to remove their bras in order to be allowed to sit in the medical entrance examination at a centre in the Kollam district of Kerala.
The matter came to light after the father of a student, who was attempting the examination for the first time, told a local news channel that his daughter had to sit in the 3-hour-long test on Sunday without wearing a bra.
The man further said that it was a traumatic experience for his 17-year-old daughter, who was dressed as per the issued guidelines by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which states nothing about the innerwear.
A team of women police officers recorded the statements of the victims on Monday before the administration registered a case in the matter and launched a probe, assuring that the accused in the case will be arrested soon.
“A case has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman)”, the police told.
The incident reportedly occured in a private educational institute at Ayur, where the NEET examination was conducted on last Sunday.
The Human Rights Commission of the state have also taken note of the issue and has directed the Superintendent of Police of the region to file a report in next 15 days.
Multiple youth organization also held protests regarding the matter, demanding strong action against those involved in the hideous behaviour with female students.
Meanwhile, NTA in an statement said that no such complain was received by any candidate immediately or after the examination from the said centre.
