``Since the results of the final MBBS examination appeared to be fishy and suspicious, I have asked the Maharashtra Medical Council to conduct a high-level probe and submit a comprehensive report to me,'' Aher told Express Newsline.The results of the final MBBS examination were undoubtedly poor, but the path chosen by the Mumbai University to award grace marks was improper, he added.

Following a memorandum submitted by aggrieved parents and in view of the observations made by the MMC, Aher, a surgeon by profession, said it was well within the powers of the government to ask the MMC to conduct the probe.``Under Section 27 (A) of the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, the MMC is fully empowered to conduct an inquiry into the alleged irregularities conducted in an examination leading to the awarding of medical orsurgical qualifications,'' Aher said.

Earlier in the day, Aher held a marathon meeting with senior officials of the medical education department, Maharashtra Medical Council and a section of aggrieved parents.

Under Section 27 (A), the council shall have the authority to call on the governing body or authority of any medical college or schools or any examining body to furnish such particulars as the council shall require of any course prescribed or examination held by such body with reference to the grant of any medical or surgical qualifications.

According to a senior MMC member, in the present case, it appears that the University has granted eight marks to 64 students to enable them to pass in the Preventive and Social Medicine subject. ``Since there is a specific charge, the MMC is empowered to call for records from the University and submit a report to the government,'' the MMC member said.

In view of the poor results of the final MBBS examination, the Mumbai University had granted eight gracemarks to the students since they faced difficulties in attempting some questions in the Prevention and Social Medicine Paper.

Vice-Chancellor Snehalata Deshmukh had justified the decision, saying that since the question paper was difficult, she had chosen to grant grace marks to the 64 unsuccessful candidates.

Deshmukh had stated that after taking into consideration the representations received from the students through their Deans, she had convened a meeting of the statutory bodies of the University, and it was decided to grant eight grace marks to enable the students to clear the examination.

The official circular said the university has taken note of the representations received from the candidates who appeared at the final MBBS examination regarding the poor results in the subject of Preventive and Social Medicine and also the difficulties faced by the candidates in attempting the theory paper in the subject.

Subsequently, the representations were considered by the concerned paper setter and theexaminers and accordingly, they decided to grant eight grace marks to all the candidates. ``This decision of the paper setter and the examiners was accepted by the board of examinations of the University at its meeting held on January 22. The results of all the candidates, who appeared at the final MBBS examination held in October, 1998, have therefore been modified by adding eight grace marks and adjusting the grace marks already granted to some of the candidates,'' the circular stated.