Karnataka: Peon Scores 99.7% Marks In Class 10 Fails To Read Or Write

A case in Karnataka has once again raised questions about the fairness of the Indian examination and education system. The 23-year-old peon named Prabhu Laxmikanth Lokare, scored 99.7 percent in the class 10th board exams. However, as per India Today“s report despite scoring so well in this board exams, Lokare cannot read and write. The revelation has prompted an investigation into the alleged case and the court has ordered a probe into Lokare”s academic records.

Prabhu Laxmikanth Lokare recently secured the job of a peon in a local court in Karnataka”s Koppal district. On April 22, 2024, Lokare cleared the peon”s recruitment exam based on his class 10 marks. Whereas his recruitment came under the radar when a court judge observed Lokare struggling with reading and writing. The judge subsequently filed a private complaint with the police to investigate the Lokare”s academic record.

An FIR was filed stating that Lokare participated in the class 10th board exam directly after the class 7 and scored 623 out of 625 marks in the board exams. The report said that despite his exemplary academic performance, Lokare cannot read or write in Kannada, English or Hindi, which raises serious doubts about his credentials.

While, Lokare said in his defence is that he appeared in 2017-18 as a private candidate, in the class 10th boards conducted by the Delhi Education Board. He told that the exam took place in an institution in Bagalakote district in Karnataka.

The judge has demanded a probe into the matter and ordered to look whether other candidates have secured government jobs through the similar means. The judge also asked police to check and compare Lokare”s handwriting with his class 10 exam answer sheets.

The judge said that such cases of fraudulent academic records put meritorious students at a disadvantage.