Case registered against Bihar Class 12 toppers

Patna, June 7  A case was registered on Tuesday against Bihar's Class 12 toppers in science and arts after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered that an FIR be lodged and the matter probed, officials said on Tuesday.

A report has been lodged by Rajeev Ranjan Prasad Singh, an official of the education department, Kotwali police station incharge Ramesh Prasad Singh said.

Those named in the case include science toppers Saurabh, Sreshtha and Rahul Kumar, arts topper Rubi Rai and director of V.R. College in Vaishali district. Saurabh, Rahul Kumar and Rbi were students of the V.R. College.

He said the case was registered under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code.

Nitish Kumar, who held a high level meeting with top officials on Monday, expressed disappointment over the Class 12 merit muddle and directed the officials to probe the matter as a criminal case.

The state government, after the meeting, dissolved both the inquiry committees constituted by the education department and the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) on Sunday.

The board on Saturday cancelled the result of first and third toppers in the science stream as both failed their re-test and decided to give another chance to the arts topper to appear for a re-test on June 11.

The board received a report on re-assessment of 13 of 14 toppers of the class 12 examination to find out if they really deserved their high grades or had cheated their way to the top.

Board Chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad said the government has cancelled the recognition of V.R. College.

The BSEB, which conducts Class 12 exams, is also in trouble as it had announced the results last month.

"The state government is likely to take action against the board chairman for his failure and damage to the reputation of the state's education system," officials said.