The KCET, conducted by KEA for admissions to engineering and other professional courses, was taken by approximately 3.3 lakh students across 745 centres in Karnataka. (Representational image)A probe into the April 23 incident in which three Karnataka CET candidates were allegedly forced to remove their sacred thread (janeu) has found that the college’s actions were intentional, Jagadeesha G, Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban, said Monday.Based on its findings, the probe committee has recommended that the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) debar Krupanidhi PU College, where the alleged incident happened, from serving as an exam centre in the future. It has also called for strict action against the staff involved.The committee, constituted by Jagadeesha G and headed by senior officers, reached its findings after reviewing CCTV footage and recording statements from the college principal, affected students, parents, and examination observers.According to the complaint, a candidate who arrived at Krupanidhi PU College on Sarjapur Main Road, Koramangala, to appear for the KCET Physics paper, the staff on duty allegedly instructed him to remove his janivara before allowing him inside the examination hall on April 23. The candidate, who removed the thread and wrote the exam, stated that the act hurt his religious sentiments. Later, it was found that at least three students were allegedly stopped during frisking and asked to remove their sacred threads.On Monday, Jagadeesha told reporters that an officer from KEA had been appointed to train the faculty related to the dress code in the wake of a similar incident that took place during last year’s KCET. “During the training session, it was made clear that the sacred thread shall not be removed. However, the latest incident showed there has been a violation now,” he added.Asked whether it was intentional, Jagadeesha said, “prima facie, it looks like the staff’s act was intentional. While the dress code training was provided and informed, it has happened. There were around 700 examination centres across Karnataka, and no such incident has happened anywhere. The report states that it was a deliberate act.”Following complaints by parents, three individuals — faculty member Sudeheer D, second division clerk A Sarita, and attender Girija of Krupanidhi College — were arrested under Sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Story continues below this ad“The college staff has been suspended, a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed, and stern action will be initiated. We will take all tough measures to contain such acts,” Jagadeesha said.The KCET, conducted by KEA for admissions to engineering and other professional courses, was taken by approximately 3.3 lakh students across 745 centres in Karnataka.