Complaint That Kerala Girl Was Asked To Remove Bra Before NEET Exam ‘Fictitious’, NTA Told

The National Testing Agency said the exam centre’s superintendent claimed that no such incident took place and the complaint has been filed with “wrong intentions”.
Representative image of students coming out from a NEET UG examination centre in Kerala, Sunday, July 17, 2022. Photo: PTI
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New Delhi: The police complaint which claims that a 17-year-old girl in Kerala’s Kollam district was asked to remove her bra to appear for the medical entrance exam National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) is “fictitious” and has been filed with “wrong intentions”, the exam centre’s superintendent informed the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The father of the girl, who lodged the police complaint, told a TV channel that his daughter had followed the dress code mentioned in the NEET bulletin – which does not mention anything about innerwear. However, his daughter was asked to remove her bra to be allowed to write the exam on Sunday, he claimed.
The Kerala police have registered a case against the friskers allegedly involved in the incident on the basis of the complaint. The 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) have been invoked, police said.
NTA officials told news agency PTI, “No complaint or representation has been received by us. On [the] basis of claims in media reports, an immediate report was sought from the centre superintendent and observer. They have informed that no such incident took place and the complaint is fictitious and has been filed with wrong intentions.”
“The NEET dress code does not permit any such activity as alleged by the parent of the candidate. The code provides for ensuring sanctity and fairness of exam while observing sensitivity towards gender, culture and religion during frisking of candidates,” a senior NTA official added, PTI said.
Kerala higher education minister R. Bindu on Tuesday asked Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to take strong action against the agency and expressed “dismay and shock” at the news of the “naked assault on the dignity and honour of the girl students” who appeared for NEET at a centre in Ayur.
NCW, NCPCR seek action
The National Commission for Women (NCW) and the National Commission for protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Tuesday sought action against the friskers who are involved in the incident.
The NCW said it has taken serious note of the reported incident which is “shameful and outrageous to the modesty” of young girls.
“Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to the chairperson of the NTA to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations levelled by the girl students and to take appropriate action in accordance with law against the responsible. The Commission has also sought a time-bound investigation in the matter,” it said in a statement.
The NCW has also written to the Kerala director general of police, asking for a fair investigation into the matter and the registration of an FIR if the allegations are found to be true. The action taken must be apprised to the commission within three days.
The NCPCR, on the other hand, has written to the Kollam district collector, requesting an inquiry to ascertain how many children underwent a similar treatment on July 17 during the checking or frisking of candidates appearing for NEET.
“You are further requested to furnish statements of the affected children and inform the Commission about the staff involved and action taken against them,” the NCPCR said in the letter.
(With PTI inputs)