Cancelling AIPMT is last resort, says SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Haryana police to expedite the probe in identifying the beneficiaries of paper leak and other irregularities of the 2015- 16 All India PreMedical Test ( AIPMT) and reiterated that cancellation of the examination would be the last resort.

During the resumed hearing, the vacation Bench of Justices A. K. Sikri and U. U. Lalit was informed by the Haryana police that the kingpin of the racket, Roop Singh Dangi, was still at large, though the investigation into the case had made progress.

The counsel for Haryana submitted that the DGP was in contact with his counterparts in other states and all possible steps were being taken to track down the beneficiaries of the irregularities. It said the police had identified the outlet from where 72 sim cards of three different telecom service providers were procured by submitting documents of fake identities. These 72 sim cards were used for making calls to atleast 358 other mobile phones.

Counsel Jayant Bhushan, appearing for petitioners submitted that the police should conduct a thorough probe as electronic devices like “bluetooth” and apps like “WhatsApp” were used. He said any delay in conducting the re- examination would have wide ramification on the admissions. Additional solicitor general Maninder Singh said the entire investigation would take months to complete.