[NEET 2020] Two OMR sheets uploaded on different dates, reduction of marks from 594 to 248: Madras High Court asks NTA to explain

The Madras High Court on Wednesday asked the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct an inquiry into possible OMR sheet manipulation in this year's NEET results after a candidate was able to show the Court screenshots to back up his claim that two different OMR sheets were uploaded online in his name by the NTA. .Justice Anand Venkatesh has ordered the NTA to file a report on the issue by December 23.."The Report must explain as to how two OMR Sheets containing the name of the petitioner was uploaded in the website and how it was completely in variance. It gives an opportunity to the 2nd respondent (NTA) to plug the leak, if there is one", the Court said. .Justice Venkatesh added:."This Court is now really concerned and quite apprehensive as to whether such manipulation of OMR Sheet is a possibility. As it is, anything in an electronic mode is susceptible to manipulation and nobody can rule it out completely. If such manipulation is in fact possible, it is really a danger which requires immediate investigation... It is not known as to how this OMR Sheet completely changed from 17.10.2020 by bringing down the marks of the petitioner from 594 to 248.".The petitioner informed the Court that the OMR sheet uploaded initially on the NTA's website on October 5 indicated that he had secured 594 marks in the NEET 2020. .This remained the position until October 16. However, it was submitted that on October 17, a complete change in the score was noticed with the petitioner's OMR sheet result refelcting that he only secured 248 marks. .Before the High Court, the NTA submitted that on verification, it was found that the OMR sheet uploaded as on October 17 was the petitioner's result. A physical copy of this sheet was also furnished. .The Court acknowledged that it was initially inclined not to dig too deep into the matter, in view of the NTA's purported verification. However, an additional rejoinder filed by the NEET candidate, featuring screenshots and material from his google account, turned the case on its head. .Referring to the submissions made in the petitioner's additional rejoinder, the Judge remarked,"On the face of it, these materials substantiates the case of the petitioner that there were two OMR Sheets that were uploaded in the website of the 2nd respondent.... This retrieved Google Account has to be taken on the face of it since it is not possible to manipulate the Google Account, which is not within the control of the petitioner.".Justice Venkatesh observed that while handling the court portfolio for cases concerning educational matters, there were several other cases filed raising similar grievances that the NTA's website did not reflect the actual answers given by NEET candidates. .He recounted:"This Court did not go deep into those cases since there was only one OMR Sheet that was available and therefore, this Court did not question that OMR Sheet merely based on the ipse dixit of the candidate. However, this case came as a surprise to this Court and made this Court think that probably there was some truth in the claim made by those students.".The Court further raised concern that if OMR sheet manipulation was possible, meritorious students would stand to lose. Therefore, it directed the NTA to undertake an inquiry into the matter, while expressing hope that its fears do not prove true. ."If manipulations are possible, everything happening in an on-line mode, the OMR Sheet of a bright student can always be swapped with the OMR Sheet of a mediocre student and nobody can really find out the truth unless it is thoroughly enquired. This is only a fear expressed by this Court and this Court fervently hopes that this fear does not ultimately prove to be right. Even if there is a remote chance of manipulating the OMR Sheet, that is a clear harbinger of the malady that it can cause to the entire selection process. This Court is taking this issue very seriously since these candidates are future Doctors and precious lives are involved", reads the order. .The Court also granted the petitioner-candidate interim relief by way of directing that he be allowed to participate in the medical admissions counselling. However, whether or not he would finally be admitted would depend on the final orders in the writ petition, the Court clarified. .The matter would be heard next on December 23. .Read the order: