CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Athlete’s Suspicion Exposes Fake Sports Certificate Racket for Government Jobs
A major case has emerged in Pune, Maharashtra, involving the alleged use of fake sports certificates to secure government jobs. A police investigation has found that 19 candidates allegedly submitted fake certificates in sports such as Kurash and dragon boat to avail benefits under the sports quota in the Pune city police recruitment process that ran from 2024 to 2026. Maharashtra State Kurash Association president Ankush Nagar and secretary Shivaji Salunkhe have been arrested in the case.
Investigation began after an athlete’s suspicion. The matter came to light when a person raised doubts over the sports certificates of 19 candidates in the Pune police recruitment. The person submitted a complaint to senior police officers and also provided relevant documents. Police then began examining the certificates and the recruitment process. The investigation allegedly found that the candidates had submitted documents linked to participation in sports competitions whose authenticity was questioned. According to police, the related sports competitions were not actually held, yet records were created to show that the candidates had participated in them.
Allegation of taking Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. According to the police investigation, information has emerged that candidates were allegedly charged around Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for providing fake sports certificates. This is why the case is being viewed not merely as a matter of forged documents, but as an organised sports-quota recruitment racket.
Nineteen candidates got job benefits. According to Pune police, 19 candidates were allegedly recruited in the 2024-2026 recruitment process on the basis of fake Kurash and dragon boat certificates. Of them, nine candidates had also gone for police training. Police are now trying to find out how many more candidates were involved in the wider network and which government jobs were secured through fake certificates.
The role of the sports department is also under investigation. Police said that under government rules implemented after 2020, the presence of a government representative was mandatory at state-level competitions. It is alleged that the concerned Kurash organisation claimed to have held a competition without informing the Directorate of Sports. The sports department will now also conduct an inquiry into the matter. This could help establish how the alleged fake certificates were prepared and validated.
The investigation may widen. Police have registered a case against some other office-bearers as well, apart from the president and secretary of the Maharashtra State Kurash Association. A court has sent the two arrested accused to police custody until September 8. During the investigation, police are also examining the role of candidates, sports organisations and others linked to the certificate-issuing process. The case raises serious questions over transparency in the sports quota in government recruitment. If the allegations are proved during the investigation, action may also be taken against candidates who secured government jobs on the basis of fake sporting achievements.
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