DVAC unearths re-evaluation scam in Anna University

DVAC has cited Dr GV Uma, professor of Department of Information Science and Technology who was the former controller of examinations of Anna University as the as main suspect in the case.

 

Others in list of accused include Dr P Vijaya Kumar, assistant professor, Dean in-charge, and Dr R Sivakumar, assistant professor in Mathematics department of University College of Engineering, Tindivanam; R Sundarajan, examiner, NPR College of Engineering and Technology; M Mahesh Babu and R Anbu Selvan, examiners of SKP Engineering College; I Pragatheeswar, examiner, AC College of Technology; M Ramesh Kannan, examiner, Salem college of Technology; and examiners CN Pratheeba and S Ramesh.

 

Professor Uma worked as controller of examination from March 2013 to March 2018. Vijay Kumar and Sivakumar worked as zonal co-ordinators for the valuation centre in Tindivanam. DVAC alleged that the three conspired together and demanded illegal gratification of Rs 10,000 from each student to award extra marks to the students, who were not eligible.

 

They also allegedly forged the answer sheets by altering the marks and cheated genuine students who had secured better marks. The three allegedly colluded with the other seven suspects to give forged marks to certain students.

 

DVAC said that the suspects had destroyed the maximum number of answer sheets of the students for whom they had awarded enhanced marks during the re-evaluation in Tindivanam in 2017 and thus caused disappearance of evidence.

 

Investigators have collected evidence linked to the malpractice in nearly 100 mark sheets, but believe that the number could be much higher. “They had destroyed as many mark sheets as possible by the time we started probing the issue,” a senior DVAC official disclosed. A total of 3,02, 380 students had applied for revaluation last year, of which 73,773 students passed and another 16,636 have improved their marks in the process.

 

A case has been registered under IPC sections for criminal conspiracy, public servant framing fake document, disappearance of evidence, cheating, forgery, etc. along with Prevention of Corruption Act.

 

DVAC also conducted searches in houses of GV Uma in Chennai, P Vijayakumar at Tindivanam and R Sivakurmar at Tinidvanam and Office of the Controller of Examinations, Anna University. Certain documents pertaining to the purchase of properties by Uma have also been seized.