Karnataka Shock: Peon Scoring 99.7% in Class 10 Exposed as Illiterate; Probe Launched

A 23-year-old peon, Prabhu Laxmikanth Lokare, who secured a job at a local court in Karnataka’s Koppal district due to his impressive 99.7% score in the Class 10 exam, is now under investigation for allegedly being unable to read or write. The revelation, reported by India Today, has prompted a deeper look into Lokare’s academic credentials.

High Marks, Low Literacy

Lokare’s name appeared on April 22, 2024, in the final merit list for the peon’s recruitment exam, which was based on his Class 10 marks. Despite his high scores, Lokare struggled with basic reading and writing tasks, raising suspicions. Observing his difficulties, a court judge filed a private complaint with the police, requesting a thorough investigation into Lokare’s academic background.

The Investigation Begins

An FIR was filed on April 26, stating that Lokare had allegedly jumped from seventh standard directly to the tenth class exam, scoring 623 out of 625 marks. However, his inability to read or write in Kannada, English, or Hindi has cast serious doubts on his qualifications. The judge has called for a comparison of Lokare’s handwriting with that in his Class 10 exam answer sheets to verify the authenticity of his results.

Potential Fraudulent Practices

The judge also expressed concerns that other candidates might have secured government jobs through similar fraudulent means, putting genuinely meritorious students at a disadvantage. This prompted a broader call for an investigation into the academic records of other job holders.

Lokare’s Defense

In his defense, Lokare claimed that he appeared as a private candidate in the Class 10 exams during the 2017-18 academic year, which were conducted by the Delhi Education Board. He stated that the exam took place at an institution in Karnataka’s Bagalakote district.

The court has ordered a detailed probe into Lokare’s academic records, and the police are expected to provide a comprehensive report soon. This case highlights the critical need for rigorous verification of academic credentials in recruitment processes to ensure fairness and meritocracy.