A significant controversy has recently erupted within the confines of Purvanchal University, sparked by the circulation of a viral video. This video has brought to light disturbing allegations against an invigilator by the name of Dr. Vinay Verma. In the video, Dr. Verma is purportedly seen engaging in unethical behavior by demanding a sum of Rs 2,000 from students in exchange for ensuring their passage in their academic examinations. Furthermore, the video reveals that he did not stop at mere monetary demands; he also divulged a questionable method for students involved in cheating during exams to evade detection and secure success.
The footage captured Dr. Verma within the confines of his office, where he not only demanded financial compensation but also offered a clandestine strategy to students who resorted to cheating during examinations. His suggestion involved the surreptitious exchange of a malfunctioning mobile phone for their original device, thereby eliminating any potential evidence of academic dishonesty. This incident, recorded by a student through a mobile phone, rapidly gained traction on various social media platforms, leading to widespread outrage among the academic community and the public at large.
Prior to this controversy, Dr. Vinay Verma had been serving as an assistant professor in the Pharmacy department at Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, albeit in a temporary capacity. Additionally, he was entrusted with the crucial responsibility of overseeing semester examinations. However, allegations have now surfaced that he had exploited his influential position by soliciting money from students in exchange for securing their academic success, casting a shadow of suspicion over his conduct.
In light of the damning viral video, the university administration swiftly took action to address the matter. They immediately relieved Dr. Verma of all his exam-related responsibilities and issued an official notice to him, demanding an explanation within a span of three days. The notice raised pertinent questions about his behavior and prompted a critical inquiry into why his temporary appointment should not be terminated.
Subsequent to the circulation of the video and the consequential measures taken, Dr. Shyam Kanhaiya was appointed as the new invigilator at the university. In a concerted effort to address this situation comprehensively, the Vice-Chancellor of Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Dr. Vandana Singh, initiated an investigation by constituting a committee tasked with the responsibility of probing this incident thoroughly and submitting a detailed report.
This unfortunate incident is not an isolated occurrence of academic misconduct in recent times. Earlier this year, during a Class 12 Physics examination in Maharashtra, a school in Pune found itself embroiled in a major cheating scandal. A flying squad from Pune Zilla Parishad uncovered that nine teachers at a school located in Daund taluka were actively aiding and abetting students in cheating during the exam. The incident unfolded at the Jawaharlal Secondary and Higher Secondary School in Kedgaon, coinciding with the Maharashtra Board Class 12th Physics examination held on February 27, 2023.
In the wake of this shocking revelation, the names of the students involved in the cheating scandal were reported to the appropriate authorities, resulting in the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the implicated teachers at the Yawat Police Station. The government had previously launched a 'copy-free' examination campaign ahead of the Maharashtra Board exams in 2023, which included the closure of photocopy shops located near exam centers to deter cheating. The Maharashtra Board continued to conduct the HSC and SSC exams from February 21 to March 25, 2023, under heightened scrutiny and vigilance.
