25 arrested including 14 policemen in Pune fake Kurash certificate recruitment racket

Pune Police have arrested 25 people in a recruitment scam linked to allegedly fake certificates in Kurash, a martial art. Fourteen of those arrested are policemen. Investigators suspect the papers were used to secure government jobs, although the candidates had not taken part in the competitions that must be entered for recruitment under the sports quota.

Some of the accused have already been sent to Yerawada Central Jail. Six others are still absconding and the police are looking for them. The investigation is no longer confined to the police department and its scope is widening.

According to the information available, some candidates allegedly entered government service on the strength of these disputed certificates, and some even underwent police training. The investigation has also allegedly found the involvement of people who did not attend training at all. This has raised the question of why these alleged irregularities were not caught during recruitment.

The alleged racket did not stop at appointments to the police force. Investigators suspect that jobs in other government departments may also have been obtained with similar certificates. Pune Police are talking to the departments concerned so that the appointments can be examined and the documents submitted by candidates can be checked. If irregularities are found, employees who got jobs on such certificates may also be investigated.

In all, 31 people have been identified in the case. Of them, 25 have been arrested and a search is on for six. It has also been stated that one person died of a heart attack after the case was registered. No details of the circumstances of the death are available.

The sports quota in government recruitment is meant to give recognition to players who have shown their ability in eligible competitions at the state, national or other recognised level. The alleged use of fake Kurash certificates has raised concern that genuine sportspersons may have lost job opportunities because of candidates who did not meet the eligibility conditions.

The case has also brought up the question of how sports certificates are verified. If the allegations are proved, closer scrutiny may be applied to certificates submitted at the time of recruitment, and the way government departments check them may also come under review.

The investigation is continuing. The police are examining the alleged network, tracing the remaining suspects and working with other departments to find what other appointments are linked to these disputed certificates.