Maharashtra CET Cell files complaint over audio clip offering 'special' exam centre to student

MUMBAI : The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (MH CET) Cell has lodged a police complaint after an audio clip allegedly surfaced in which a woman is heard offering a "special" examination centre to an engineering aspirant for Rs 12 lakh. The authenticity of the audio clip has not been independently verified, and the CET Cell has initiated legal action to investigate the matter.

The clip has sparked concerns over the credibility of the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Cell for engineering admissions. Several students, parents and the opposition Congress have demanded a thorough investigation, alleging that some candidates with modest academic records secured exceptionally high MHT CET percentiles . They argued that any irregularity could impact the prospects of deserving students.

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CET Cell files complaint, rejects allegations of exam centre manipulation

According to Press Trust of India, state CET Cell commissioner and ceo, Dilip Sardesai, said the authorities have taken cognisance of the unverified audio clip and filed complaints with the state cyber Cell and Mumbai's Azad Maidan Police. "The MH-CET Cell has not received any complaint in connection with the audio clip. We have taken cognisance of it and lodged complaints with the state cyber cell and the Azad Maidan police (in Mumbai)," Sardesai told reporters.

Rejecting claims that candidates could influence the allotment of examination centres, he explained, "A student can choose four preferred examination centres. Female candidates can opt for centres within their district. A week before the exam, students are informed only about the city or town where they will appear. The exact name and address of the centre are shared two days before the exam. No student has the final say in selecting the examination centre. It is allotted randomly through a computerised process".

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Students, parents seek probe into high MHT CET scores

The controversy intensified after Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Balaji Gade questioned how some students with relatively low Class 12 and JEE scores secured nearly 99 percentile in MH CET. Responding to the allegations, Sardesai said isolated cases should not undermine an examination taken by 4.63 lakh candidates. "We will analyse the students under suspicion. But on this information alone, we cannot conclude that those who scored very high percentiles did anything wrong," he said.

Parents and students have called for an independent investigation, claiming that unusually high scores by candidates with comparatively poor academic records could affect admissions to top engineering colleges. Teachers also urged authorities to examine such outlier cases while ensuring that genuine candidates are not unfairly impacted.