Hyderabad, August 25
In an embarrassment to the judiciary, three district judges in Andhra Pradesh were caught copying in an examination. The judges, along with seven advocates, were debarred from LLM (Master of Law) examination when they were caught red-handed in the copying act at an exam hall. They were appearing in the exam to become eligible for departmental promotions.

The incident occurred at Kakatiya University’s Arts and Science College building in Warangal town, about 140 km here. The authorities have seized their answer sheets along with the “printed notes” from which the accused were found to be copying.

The debarred judges were Adilabad district sub judge M Krishnappa, Rangareddy district court judge K Ajith Narasimha Rao and Nizamabad district court judge P Vijayender Reddy. Seven other advocates were also involved in the mass copying. They were all taking the First Year LLM examination covering the subject “Legal and Constitutional History of India” to become eligible for departmental promotions.

Acting on a tip-off, additional controller of examinations N Manohar, along with special squad teams, went to the exam venue and caught the judges and advocates red-handed. “The papers of those caught will not be evaluated,” Manohar said.