Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The Indore district court has sentenced three individuals, including a female exam centre head, to one year of rigorous imprisonment for facilitating mass cheating during a high school examination.

The case dates back to March 12, 2011, when the district education officer of Indore lodged a complaint at Lasudia police station after a surprise inspection at Bhartiya Bal Mandir High School, Scheme No. 114, around 7:30 am.

During the inspection, centre head Chandrakanta Rathore (principal, Higher Secondary School, Karadia), deputy centre head Prema Kushwah (lecturer, Ahilya Ashram No. 2, Maharana Pratap Nagar, Banganga), and assistant centre head Ajay Pavde (principal, Bhartiya Bal Mandir) were present at the scene.

Authorities checked two halls and 22 classrooms. In Room No. 7, invigilator Sarvesh Sharma was caught writing answers on the blackboard for students to copy. The blackboard was seized on the spot, and Sharma was made to sign it, noting the time. Evidence of mass cheating - such as the use of ATVs, question papers, and guidebooks - was discovered in several rooms, implicating invigilators and the school management.

A detailed report of the seized materials was submitted to the examination board for further action. An FIR was registered, citing early distribution of question papers and organised cheating.

During the investigation, further evidence emerged against Dharmendra Singh Chauhan, who was later added as an accused. Sarvesh Sharma, however, was not found to be directly involved.

Following the trial, the court convicted Ajay Pavde, Chandrakanta Rathore and Dharmendra Singh Chauhan - all residents of Indore. The prosecution was led by assistant district public prosecutor Hemant Rathore.