The Patna Police on Monday night lodged an FIR against the management of VR College in Vaishali, three Class 12 toppers and the staff at various examination and evaluation centres, following suspicion that the results of this year's board exams were fudged. The police included sections on forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy, The Indian Express reported. The move comes after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar instituted a Special Investigation Team to look into the matter and submit a report within 10 days.
The controversy broke out after a local TV channel's interviews of the two toppers from VR College, Ruby Rai and Saurav Srestha, brought into question the possibility of mass cheating backed by a section of the education department in Bihar. The state’s school education board has cancelled the results of Srestha and another topper Rahul Raj, who is also from VR College. Rai has been given a week to take a retest.
The 14 toppers of the Bihar Class 12 board exams were asked to appear for a retest and an interview with a panel of subject experts on June 3. Rai did not show up on the day of the exam.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!