NEET frisking controversy: Girls who forcibly remove underwear are allowed to re-appear

 

The National Testing Agency (NTA) said it will re-conduct the NEET exam for girl students who were allegedly asked to remove their underwear during searches before appearing for the medical entrance exam.

Girls will be given the option to take the exam on September 4. NTA has sent an email to the students confirming this.

A major controversy erupted after young girls were asked to remove their inner wear before entering the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) test center in Kollam district of Kerala.

In July, a man lodged a complaint with the Kottarkara police, saying female NEET aspirants, including his daughter, were asked to take off their bras before entering the examination center in Chathamangalam.

According to reports, students were forced to take off their inner wear before entering the examination center as the metal hooks on their bras were a 'safety concern'.

Thereafter, an FIR was registered under sections 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage woman's modesty) and 509 (word, gesture or act) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police have arrested seven people in the case. Those arrested include two members of the college staff present at the NEET examination center and three members of the agency entrusted with the security of the center. Eventually all the accused got bail.

Following outrage and widespread protests over the alleged incident, the Human Rights Commission directed the Kollam Rural SP to investigate the matter and submit a report within 15 days.

The National Commission for Women and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had also demanded action against the personnel involved in the incident.

The NTA had also constituted a three-member fact-finding committee to probe the allegations and submit its report in four weeks.