Rajvardhan Hangargekar, who was brought for 1.5 crore by the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2022 mega-auction, has landed in a massive age fraud controversy that could see him getting banned.
Maharashtra State Sports Commissioner Omprakash Bakoria has written to the BCCI seeking “strict action” Hangargekar, who not long ago was part of the India U-19 World Cup-winning team.
In a letter dated February 8, Bakoria wrote to BCCI secretary Jay Shah that the speedster had modified his birth date from January 10, 2001, to November 10, 2002, and that his school is also involved in this forgery – adding that Hangargekar was over-age when he competed in the Under-19 World Cup.
“As per the inquiry and the report, it reveals that Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar has started his academic career from Terna Public School, Osmanabad. It is governed by the school code prescribed by the Government of Maharashtra,” Bakoria wrote in his letter as seen by PTI.
“At the time of admission of Rajvardhan Hangargekar in 1st 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 Hangagekar up to seventh standard is recorded as 10/01/2001.”
The commissioner accused the school had 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 at the time of fresh application for 8th standard.
“If the headmaster requires any corrections in the birth date, it is necessary to take prior permission of the education officer of the concerned district. However, no such permission has been taken for making changes in the birth date of Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar. Therefore said corrections are made in excess of power and amount to cheating and forgery in government records,” the senior IAS officer stated.
“On the basis of the fabricated record, Mr Rajvardhan Hangargekar seems to have secured a position in the national team of India. As per the report of Chief Executive Officer (IAS) Zilla Parishad, Osmanabad, the birth date of said player is 10/01/2001 and therefore, he has completed 21 years of age at the time of the tournament. Despite of the fact, he has secured a position in the U19 team participating in the ICC (U-19) World Cup 2022.”
“The conduct of Mr Rajvardhan Hangangekar 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 asserted.
This letter has also been marked to the secretary of Maharashtra Cricket Association, Riyaz Bagban.
Earlier Manjot Karla, who struck a match-winning century in the final of the 2018 U-19 World Cup, was banned for two years from playing for Delhi for age fraud. Rasikh Salam, the Jammu and Kashmir youngster who represented Mumbai Indians in 2019, was banned for two years for age fraud.
In September 2011, Maharashtra’s Ankit Bawne was removed from the India Under-19 squad after the date of birth in his passport did not match with the one in his birth certificate and the BCCI records.
Should the allegation be proved true, Rajvardhan Hangargekar’s career is likely to be paused for a while.
