NEET candidate caught in Hyderabad using phone hidden in exam centre flush tank

An 18-year-old NEET candidate was caught allegedly using a mobile phone concealed inside a washroom flush tank to search for answers during the NEET re-examination at a government school in Ragannaguda on Sunday.

The candidate, a resident of Achampet, was apprehended at the examination centre located at ZPHS, Ragannaguda, under the limits of Adibatla police station. Police said he had allegedly planned the malpractice in advance by hiding the mobile phone inside the school premises before the examination began.

According to investigators, the student arrived at the school around 7 a.m. and allegedly placed a mobile phone near a washroom ventilator accessible from the compound wall adjoining the school. Around 11 a.m., before the examination commenced, he allegedly entered the washroom and concealed the device inside a zip-lock cover before hiding it in a flush tank.

Police said security personnel had conducted inspections of the examination centre at 6 a.m. and again at 11 a.m., while all candidates underwent frisking before entering the venue. However, the device hidden inside the flush tank escaped detection during the checks.

During the examination, the candidate complained of stomach pain and sought permission to use the washroom. As he remained there for an unusually long period, the invigilator directed staff members to check on him. They allegedly found him inside the washroom using the concealed mobile phone to search for answers online.

The police team deployed at the centre was alerted and immediately seized the device. A preliminary examination of the phone reportedly found that the candidate had been using a web browser to search for answers during the examination.

During questioning, the student allegedly admitted to the act. He was taken into custody and a case was registered following a complaint from the school administration.

Police booked the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Further investigation is underway.