Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: An FIR has been registered against the CET exam conducting officer at Adichunchanagiri School in Sharavathinagara, Shivamogga district, following allegations that students appearing for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (CET) were asked to remove their sacred thread (Janeu), police confirmed on Friday.
The complaint was filed by Nataraj Bhagavath, prompting authorities to register a case under sections 115(2), 299, 351(1), and 352, read with section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. An investigation is currently underway to understand the circumstances and protocols followed during student frisking.
Reacting strongly to the incident, Karnataka Higher Education Minister Dr. MC Sudhakar termed it as “very unfortunate”, acknowledging that similar complaints had surfaced from an exam centre in Bidar as well.
“This incident is very unfortunate. It happened not only in Shivamogga but also in Bidar. Everywhere else, the process went smoothly except for two centres,” Dr. Sudhakar told ANI.
He emphasized that no instructions had been given to officials to ask students to remove religious items such as the sacred thread.
“The people responsible for checking or frisking for any gadgets, or even for whatever protocols were followed, were never instructed to check or remove such items. This was not mentioned to be checked or removed to write the exam.”
The minister added that the state respects all religions and practices, and confirmed that strict action would be taken against those responsible.
“We respect all religions, their faith, and their deeds… We are not going to accept this, and we are going to take action…”
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), which conducts the CET, has not yet released an official statement. More developments are expected as the investigation proceeds.