PGI entrance exam scam: 7 'beneficiaries' record statements

CHANDIGARH: Seven "beneficiaries", out of 10, of the recent unearthed MD/MS entrance examination leak scandal in PGIMER, Chandigarh, appeared before the investigation agency in CBI headquarters, Sector 30, to record their statements on Monday.
All seven are MBBS and natives of Andhra Pradesh. Among these were seven beneficiaries were Shiva, Venkatashwara, Ramana, Ramesh, Krishna and Sidhartha.
Shiva and Venkatashwara accepted their links with accused Gangadhar Reddy, who was arrested from a hotel in Patna, stating, "Reddy used to live in the same apartment, which is also used by them, in Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh."
Another beneficiary Ramana, who has cleared his MBBS from Shantiram Medical College in Nandyal, told CBI sleuths that mastermind P Gurivi Reddy was his senior in college.
Reliable CBI sources told TOI, "All the seven beneficiaries have accepted that they appeared for the MS entrance exam, conducted by PGIMER in different centres, while wearing specially modified jackets which were given to them by Gurivi Reddy on November 10. The jackets were modified and were equipped with earphone devices and hidden cellphones."
Sources added that although the beneficiaries are denying having given any money to Gangadhar Reddy and Gurivi Reddy, their claims do not have many takers as the sleuths have seized nine cheques -- six from Gurivi and three from Gangadhar.
DIG (CBI) Mahesh Aggarwal refused to divulge any details but confirmed that the seven "beneficiaries" have joined the ongoing probe and that they are still being quizzed.
Shiva and Venkatashwara had taken the entrance test in centres at Saupin School, Sector 32, and SGGS Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, respectively. Ramana appeared for the exam at Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, centre and Krishan, at SD Public School, Sector 32.
The CBI probe reveals all the seven women candidates nabbed in the case had filled two admission forms and obtained two roll numbers each for appearing in the entrance exam. Sources said Gurivi was apprehensive that their applications could be rejected, hence he told the girls to fill two forms each.
Meanwhile, a local court on Monday extended the police custody of Gangadhar Reddy for six days. The CBI claimed before the court that he would be made a subject of confrontation with all the 10 beneficiaries and that some were known to him personally. Meanwhile, specimen signatures of the seven accused women were also taken in the courtroom on Monday.
FRESH CHARGES
Four fresh charges -- impersonation, forgery, forgery with the purpose of cheating, use of forged documents -- were also added in the FIR against all 16 accused in the case. Among those who have been slapped fresh charges are P Gurivi Reddy, Gangadhar Reddy and Kotesh, who is still at large. Initially, the FIR was registered under charges of making an attempt of cheating and criminal conspiracy.