As many as 41 of the total 990 jawans were not present in the hostel when a surprise roll-call was conducted in the night, he said, adding that an inquiry would be launched into their absence. The action would be ``major penalty.''

Admitting that the jawans were not allowed to leave the hostel after the 8 pm roll-call without the permission of ``either the principal or the vice-principal,'' Solanki said it needed to be investigated how they could have left the premises despite the security. ``Action will be taken against the securitymen for their lapse, for they, too, are recruits to the PTS'', he added. He said that there were three ways that the jawans could have used to slip out after hours. ``Or they could have been allowed out by friendly security-men'', Solankisaid.

The roll is called four times a day; the first at 6.30 am and last at 8 pm. Surprise checks are also conducted at the hostels; it was during one such check last night that 41 jawans were discovered absent.

While Solanki refused to elaborate on the ``major penalty'' in the offing for them, reliable police sources said the absentees would be sent back to base, from where they had been sent to the PTS, after which their respective units would discharge them. ``They will lose their jobs,'' the sources said.