The four MBBS students taking admission to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) allegedly with the help of impersonators are attending second-year classes almost a year after they came under scrutiny.

An internal inquiry revealed that they took admission through fraudulent means, but the institution is yet to take action against the medicos because of technicalities. Taking advantage of the situation, the tainted students are continuing with their studies.

According to sources in the medical college, the issue of fake candidates came to light last year after a complaint was lodged regarding fraudulent admission.

It stated that imposters had appeared in the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination (BCECE) -2011 on behalf of two students. They showed up at the time of counselling, too.

Two other cases of suspected impersonation also came under scanner.

IGIMS director Dr Arun Kumar said: “After the matter was brought to our notice, we formed a committee and an internal inquiry was conducted. As we get classrooms photographed and video recorded, it could be established that the four students pursuing the MBBS course were different from those who had appeared at the time of counselling. But before filing case against them or cancelling their admission, we have to get equipped with strong proof to establish our findings.”

He said the photographs and thumb impressions of the suspected students had been sent to the forensic laboratories in Delhi and Calcutta and the results were awaited.

“We first sent the samples three months ago. But the labs returned them seeking fresh ones. We have done that. We have sent letters to the laboratories on Wednesday to expedite the process. As soon as we get the legal evidence, we will strike off the names of the suspected students from the college rolls and lodge an FIR against them,” Dr Kumar said.

Last week, the institution registered a case against a student for taking admission under a quota seat by submitting fake caste certificate. The BCECE officials conducted a probe and found the accused, Nitesh Patel, guilty of producing counterfeit documents during admission.

Impersonation in medical entrance tests is nothing new. Mostly, medical students in institutions like Patna Medical College and Hospital impersonate as candidates in medical entrance examinations in lieu of huge sum of money.

Racketeers arrange the “dummy candidates”, as they are popularly called, through a network of coaching centres in the state capital.

The imposters are paid between Rs 2 lakh and 3 lakh for appearing in exams on behalf of others. The racketeers manage the sitting arrangements at examination centres and procure fake identity cards.

“Various medical coaching institutions in the city help racketeers by arranging dummy candidates. The racketeers contact coaching centre owners, who arrange for the medicos to take the entrance tests,” said a source. He added that racketeers charged aspirants between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 7 lakh, depending on their background.