The Pune fake sports certificate scam has widened beyond the city police force, with the Crime Branch arresting 25 people, including 14 police personnel, over alleged use of fraudulent Kurash certificates to secure government jobs under the sports quota.
The investigation began after 19 candidates were found to have allegedly obtained positions in the Pune police department by submitting certificates falsely showing participation in Kurash competitions. Police are now examining whether similar certificates were used by candidates to obtain jobs in other government departments across Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra State Kurash Association’s office-bearers allegedly issued about 1,000 fake certificates across the state, according to information emerging during the investigation. The certificates were subsequently used during recruitment processes, including applications for police positions.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Shankar Khatke of the Pune Crime Branch told Civic Mirror that investigators were working to establish the scale of the alleged irregularities and identify other people who benefited from the certificates. “Our investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the alleged malpractice and identify other individuals who benefited from the fake certificates,” Khatke said. He added that police were searching for six accused persons named in the case.
Among those recently arrested are Maharashtra State Kurash Association president Ankush Nagar and Shivaji Salunke. They are accused of issuing certificates that showed candidates had participated in competitions. Police have also arrested Triveni Pungavkar, Dhairyasheel Pungavkar, Shruti Pungavkar, Sharad Andure, Prashant Salunkhe, Kumar Upadhyay, Dattu Vyavahare and Chand Sheikh.
The arrested police personnel include Prakash Sondane, Sameer Gaikwad, Datta Sadamate, Rohit Gaikwad, Vishal Tengle, Ranjit Malsakhamb, Rituraj Pawar and Abhijit Kinhole. Police have also arrested four personnel who had not yet been selected for the training course: Prathamesh More, Dnyaneshwar Indole, Chandrakant Shinde and Mohammad Jafar Faniband.
The case includes personnel who had been selected for the police force and sent for training, as well as others who had been recruited but had not yet joined training. Nineteen police personnel have been booked in the case, of whom five are allegedly absconding after learning that they could be arrested. One accused person died of a heart attack after the case was registered, according to Crime Branch officials.
Police said one constable fled from a training centre in Dhule after allegedly learning that he could be made an accused in the case. Some of the arrested accused have been sent to Yerawada Central Jail.
The Crime Branch is collecting information about government employees who may have used similar certificates and is sending letters to the concerned departments. The process is intended to enable departmental and legal action against those found connected to the alleged fraud. The investigation into the remaining accused and the wider use of Kurash certificates is continuing.
