In a startling turn of events, Prabhu Laxmikanth Lokare, a 23-year-old peon who scored 99.7% in his Class 10 exams, is now under investigation for allegedly being unable to read or write. India Today reports that Lokare’s academic credentials have come under scrutiny, prompting a formal inquiry.
Lokare’s high marks earned him a peon position at a local court in Karnataka’s Koppal district. His name appeared on the final merit list for the peon recruitment exam on April 22, 2024, based on his stellar Class 10 results. However, the court’s judge raised concerns when Lokare struggled with basic reading and writing tasks, leading to a private complaint and a police investigation into his academic records.
An FIR was filed on April 26, alleging that Lokare jumped from seventh grade directly to the Class 10 exam, achieving an almost perfect score of 623 out of 625. Despite these impressive marks, Lokare reportedly cannot read or write in Kannada, English, or Hindi, casting serious doubt on the legitimacy of his educational background. The judge has called for a thorough investigation to determine if other candidates have used similar fraudulent means to secure government jobs. Authorities are also comparing Lokare’s handwriting with his Class 10 exam answer sheets.
Lokare defended himself, stating that he took the Class 10 exams as a private candidate in 2017-18, conducted by the Delhi Education Board. He claimed the exams were held at an institution in Karnataka’s Bagalakote district.
This case highlights the potential flaws in the educational and recruitment system, where fraudulent academic achievements can unfairly disadvantage deserving students. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited to uncover the truth behind Lokare’s exceptional yet questionable academic record.
