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71 Government Recruits Scrutinized in Fake Sports Certificate Scandal
Developing
In Short: Pune Crime Branch probes 71 candidates recruited to Maharashtra Police and other departments for allegedly using fake Kurash proficiency certificates, raising concerns over sports quota exploitation.
Police are investigating at least 71 candidates recruited to the Maharashtra Police and other government departments since 2023 for allegedly securing jobs using fake Kurash proficiency certificates, according to a Pune Crime Branch probe. The investigation has uncovered several discrepancies in the certificates and supporting documents, and suspects claim to be office bearers of the Kurash Association of Maharashtra, which is neither affiliated with the national association nor registered anywhere.
Investigators found that some documents submitted to government authorities showed candidates as having participated in competitions that were either not held or whose records did not match the certificates. 'Investigation has found discrepancies in documents received from district organisations. Another aspect being examined is the presence — or absence — of government sports officials during the competitions cited in the certificates,' said a senior Crime Branch officer.
The matter came to light after Pune police received confidential information about candidates submitting certificates purportedly showing their participation and achievements in Kurash competitions. The alleged racket was aimed at exploiting the five per cent sports quota in government recruitment, including Group 1 and Group 2 positions through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC).
What's still developing
- Senior community leader Prakash Shendge said the OBCs were increasingly feeling “betrayed” by the government.
- With Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil renewing his demand to expand the ambit of Kunbi certificates for the community beyond the Hyderabad Gazette, the BJP in Maharashtra is potentially staring at a difficult political situation.
- Adding to the BJP’s and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s predicament is the growing opposition to Jarange-Patil from a section of the Other Backwards Classes (OBC) community.F The issue has acquired a sharper political edge as Maharashtra has grappled with competing reservation demands for nearly a decade.