The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, April 24, 2003, Chandigarh, India

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‘Pay Rs 8.5 lakh and clear PMT’
Kingpin claims proximity to Badal, Dhindsa
Tribune News Service

Prime accused Devinder Singh Pappu in police custody at Amritsar on Wednesday.
— Photo Rajiv Sharma

Amritsar, April 23
The kingpin in the CBSE PMT entrance test scam has reportedly claimed during his interrogation that he had close links with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Prime accused Devinder Singh Pappu, however, alleged that he was being victimised due to political reasons.

For one seat, price tag is Rs 8.5 lakh and for package deal (three or more candidates) the rate is Rs 22 lakh for clearing pre-medical entrance test being conducted by the CBSE on April 27 for securing a seat in the MBBS course.

This was the crisp reply of one Mr Saini when The Tribune contacted him on his mobile phone after reading an advertisement in a national daily. However, he promised ‘assured’ seats in Manipal Medical College against a payment of Rs 8.5 lakh.

Responding to the dialling of his mobile number 9811204138 mentioned in the advertisement of a national English daily, Mr Saini said that his phone’s battery was low and gave his another number 9810001280. This correspondent posed as the parent a candidate for aspirant for the PMT. Mr Saini who did not reveal his initials asks, “reach my office (as mentioned in the advertisement) before Saturday with the amount. When asked whether cheque or draft will do, Mr Saini said that ‘no’, only cash will be accepted.”

To a query on securing a seat in the MBBS course, Mr Saini said that your ward would have to appear for the test and have only to tick the correct answers known to him/her. The candidate should not attempt any other question as the blank answers would be filled later by his own competent persons hired by him at the examination centre itself. Mr Saini said that he would ensure that candidates got the top merit positions for ensuring a seats in medical colleges of their choice.

The conversation with Mr Saini exploded the myth that the CBSE examination system was ‘totally foolproof’ as claimed by its controller of examination, Mr Parnesh Kumar. It has also exposed that the nexus in the national capital and other parts of the country too. Earlier, the nexus was unearthed by the police here with the arrest of Sirhind-based Akali leader Devinder Singh Babbu alias Pappu who has revealed startling facts about the well-oiled operators. The police has also arrested Amritsar and Patiala-based two persons running institutes for PMT and CET entrance tests.