MUMBAI: On Day One of the HSC board exams, Vakola police registered a first information report against a 17-year-old Class XII student who was caught by an examiner for allegedly clicking images of the English subject question paper after the exam had begun.The incident occurred at Patuck Technical Junior College, Santacruz, around 11.30am—half an hour after the exam started. “The supervisor caught the boy clicking the paper. The exact motive behind his act is under investigation. No arrest has been made as the suspect is a minor and the exam is on.” said Vakola police senior inspector Kailashchandra Avhad.The boy studied at a Vakola night junior college. Police have seized his phone and will send it for technical analysis. “A probe is on to check how the student managed to take his mobile phone inside the exam hall though it is not allowed. We are also collecting information whether he was trying to send the question paper to someone to get answers solved,” said a police officer. Patuck college principal Mahadev Khumbhar said he was busy in a meeting and then remained unavailable for comment.A case has been registered under Section 7 for prohibition of copying and impersonating at examinations of the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act, 1982. Board officials said they were awaiting a report from the education inspector.The board’s rule of not allowing mobile phones at exam centres caught a few students by surprise. The rule is mentioned on the hall ticket and mobile phone is listed among the things students aren’t allowed to carry. While some colleges allow students to keep their phones in their bags outside the exam hall, some do not allow it in the premises. For instance, at Matunga’s Ruia College, a student threw her mobile phone in the drain outside the campus after she was not allowed to take it inside. “We have instructed students to not carry the mobile phones inside but in spite of that four students managed to sneak them in and had it in their possession during the exam,” said an official from the college.Meanwhile, on Thursday, in Mumbai division at least six students reported to centres after the 11.20 am deadline and “hence were not allowed to take the exam,” said Sharad Khandagale, secretary, Mumbai division. Last year, nine had reported late on Day One.

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