Investigators have found around 1,200 to 1,500 allegedly fake Kurash sports certificates issued as part of a suspected racket, with some allegedly used to secure government jobs under the five per cent sports quota. Police are now examining whether candidates also used such certificates to secure Class 1 and Class 2 posts through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC).
Police probe possible MPSC recruitment fraud
The investigation revealed that fake sports certificates had been issued and that candidates had used these certificates to claim five per cent sports quota benefits in various recruitment processes,” she said. “Kurash is a relatively lesser-known international and national sport. Some individuals issued Kurash player certificates without having any affiliation with the national-level Kurash association. These certificates were used to claim benefits under the five per cent sports quota, depriving genuine sportspersons of the benefits they were entitled to. Several competitions mentioned in the certificates allegedly never took place. Police also suspect that people without the required knowledge or certification were appointed as referees instead of qualified national- or international-level officials.
Crime Branch officials said 71 candidates recruited to the police and other government departments under the sports quota since 2023 have submitted Kurash certificates. “Police suspect that some candidates may have availed themselves of the five per cent sports quota for Class 1 and Class 2 posts through the MPSC on the basis of fake certificates showing participation or achievement in national and international-level Kurash competitions. The documents were allegedly prepared between 2016 and 2023.
The Directorate of Sports is also checking its records, they said. A senior Crime Branch officer said police were examining whether the certificates were used to claim sports quota benefits in MPSC recruitment. We are conducting a detailed inquiry into the role of the concerned office-bearers and players in this regard,” the officer said. Tejaswi Satpute, additional commissioner of police (Crime), said some individuals had issued Kurash player certificates despite having no affiliation with the national-level Kurash association. Police said the alleged racket involved preparing certificates by showing that Kurash competitions had been held at taluka, district and state levels. Investigators said no government sports department representative was allegedly present at the competitions under scrutiny.
