141 OMR sheets missing from Karnataka police constable exam centre

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has reported that 141 Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets went missing from an exam centre at Tikota in Vijayapura district, following the Civil Police Constable Recruitment Exam held on August 2. The KEA had sent 432 OMR sheets and question papers to Sri Sharandamba Arts, Commerce, and Science PU College, but only 291 sheets were returned after the exam. No information was provided about the remaining 141 sheets or whether candidates took them.

This is the same centre where some candidates earlier alleged that serial numbers on OMR sheets and question papers did not match. The KEA had clarified that the serial numbers need not match. Some students protested and left the centre by jumping off a compound wall. The KEA has now written to the Vijayapura district authorities and the college principal, seeking a detailed report.

KEA Executive Director H. Prasanna expressed concern that miscreants could misuse the missing OMR sheets. He said an inquiry must determine how many sheets are missing and who took them. Those who created a ruckus at the centre should be banned from future exams, he added. Appropriate legal action will follow based on the report from the Deputy Commissioner.