NEET aspirant caught in Hyderabad using phone hidden in exam centre’s flush tank

An 18-year-old NEET candidate was caught allegedly using a mobile phone hidden in the tank of a flushing toilet to search for answers during the NEET examination at a government school in Ragannaguda on Sunday.

The candidate, a resident of Achampet, was detained at the examination center located at ZPHS, Ragannaguda, under Adibatla police station. Police said he allegedly pre-planned the misconduct by hiding a mobile phone in the school premises before the examination began.

According to investigators, the student arrived at the school around 7 a.m. and allegedly placed her cell phone near a washroom fan accessible from a wall adjacent to the school. At around 11am, before the examination began, he allegedly entered the washroom and hid the device in a zipped enclosure before stashing it in the cistern.

Police said security personnel inspected the examination center at 6am and again at 11am, with all candidates being searched before entering the venue. However, the device hidden inside the flush tank escaped detection during inspections.

During the exam, the candidate complained of stomach pain and asked for permission to use the toilet. When he stayed there for an unusually long time, the warden ordered staff members to check on him. He was allegedly found in the washroom using a hidden cell phone to search for answers online.

A police team deployed at the center was alerted and immediately confiscated the device. A preliminary inspection of the phone reportedly found that the candidate was using a web browser to search for answers during the exam.

The student allegedly confessed to the crime during interrogation. Based on a complaint from the school management, he was taken into custody and a case was registered.

Police have detained the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractice) Act, 2024. Further investigation is underway.

Published – 21 Jun 2026 23:11 IST