NEET 2026 re-exam: Hyderabad candidate caught cheating with phone hidden in toilet, now in police custody
A mobile phone hidden inside a washing tank in a school toilet has landed an 18-year-old retesting NEET candidate in police custody in Hyderabad.The candidate was allegedly caught using the phone to search for answers during the National Eligibility Re-Examination with Entrance Test (NEET) held at a government school in Ragannaguda under Adibatla police station limits on Sunday.According to the police, the student had planned the act before entering the exam hall.
The phone supposedly hidden before the exam
Investigators said the candidate, a resident of Achampet, arrived at the school around 7 a.m., several hours before the exam.“According to his plan to commit cheating, the student came to the school around 7am and placed a mobile phone on the toilet fan,” police said.The toilet was located next to the wall of the school grounds, allowing him to access the fan from outside, officials said.Around 11 a.m., shortly before the exam, he allegedly went back into the bathroom, placed the phone inside a zippered cover, and hid it in the cistern tank.What makes the incident stand out is that the exam center had already undergone multiple security checks.Police said the premises were inspected twice, once at 6am and again at 11am. Candidates were also frisked before entering the examination centre. However, the phone hidden inside the wash tank went unnoticed during these checks.
The long visit to the toilet generates suspicion
During the exam, the student complained of stomach pain and asked permission to use the restroom.The toilet was the only common facility available in the center and was located some distance from the main school building.According to police, the guard became suspicious after the candidate spent an unusually long time inside.After waiting for a while, the examination staff was sent to check on him.“The accused was caught in the act inside the toilet actively searching for answers on his mobile phone,” police said.
Phone seized, case registered
As a result of the alert, police officers stationed at the center seized the device.A preliminary inspection of the phone showed the candidate was allegedly using Google Chrome to search for answers. Aside from Instagram, researchers found no other worrisome apps active on the device.During questioning, the candidate admitted to the act, police said.Based on a complaint filed by the school administration, a case has been registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.The accused remains in police custody and further investigation is underway.The incident comes at a time when exam authorities across the country are under pressure to beef up security measures and prevent unfair practices in high-stakes entrance exams.(with input from the agency)
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