India U-19 star Hangargekar under scanner for age fraud

Rajvardhan Hangargekar

Maharashtra State Sports Commissioner Omprakash Bakoria has written to the BCCI seeking strict action against India U-19 World Cup-winning member Rajvardhan Hangargekar for age fraud. In a letter dated February 8, Bakoria wrote to BCCI secretary Jay Shah that the pacer had altered his birth date from January 10, 2001 to November 10, 2002 and was thus over-age when he competed in the U-19 World Cup.

"The conduct of Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar is against the sports integrity and ethics. It deprives fair play and results into damages to the reputation of the nation. Therefore, you are requested to take strict action in accordance with the law," Bakoria wrote.

Bakoria further wrote, "As per the inquiry and the report, it reveals that Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar has started his academic career from Terna Public School, Osmanabad. At the time of admission of Rajvardhan Hangargekar in first standard at Terna Public School (primary division) Osmanabad, the date of birth is provided as 10/01/2001. The school record speaks that the birth date of Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar up to seventh standard is recorded as 10/01/2001."

The commissioner alleged that the school made unauthorised corrections to Hangargekar's birth date. "As per the general register maintained by the Terna Public School, Osmanabad, his birth date is 10/01/2001. It appears unauthorised corrections [were] made by the Head Master and his birth date is recorded as 10/11/2002. If the headmaster requires any corrections in the birth date, it is necessary to take permission of the education officer of the district. However, no such permission has been taken," the senior IAS officer stated.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever