KARACHI, Feb 17: Thirty-three students of the Sindh Medical College who had allegedly obtained admission on fake papers have been debarred from appearing in their second professional MBBS annual examination.

The students had been studying at the college for the last three years and their cases were detected only recently after which the college authorities initiated action against them.

The college withheld their examination papers and ultimately admit cards were not issued to them, and they were unable to appear in their ensuing second year annual examination which began at the University of Karachi campus on Monday.

Sources in the SMC said the students had allegedly obtained fake admissions and were studying further through “fraudulent means”.

A senior official of the college claimed that some six weeks back the college authorities had detected that 62 students had been studying at the college for last three to five years on the basis of “fake admissions”.

A scrutiny was made on the directives of the Sindh governor’s inspection team, the official said, adding a list of such students has already been given to the inspection team.

Through general notices and press releases, the college had asked the students concerned to prove the legality of their admissions, otherwise further action would be taken in accordance with the admissions rules, it is learnt.

In August last, a high-level committee had declared 38 students of session 2001 as “non bona fide” although they had taken their theory and practical examinations.

If the fresh cases are found valid, the number of fake admissions at the SMC during the last four to five years would reach 104, said a source.

With the latest findings by the college, the breakdown of disputed admissions is: third year-33, including four new cases, fourth year — 22 and final year — 11.

All the “fake-admissions” were made under different heads, including self-financing, overseas Pakistani seats, doctors’ quota and seats reserved for medical colleges from outside Karachi, said a college official.

In the meantime, the college principal has also written to the health department for its concurrence to the idea of cancelling the disputed admissions.

The official further said that the evidence provided by the students in reply to notices was not found satisfactory or sufficient, while a few students turned up with fake admission letters and as such college authorities are of the view that admissions of all the 66 students be cancelled.

It is also learnt that college is also considering blocking the examination papers of ‘disputed’ students of fourth year and final year, as well.

The fourth year and final year annual examinations are due on Feb 24 and March 31, respectively, while Feb 18 has been fixed by the university for receiving third professional examination forms from colleges at the university.