A fake degree certificate has cost Indian women’s T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur her Deputy Superintendent of Police rank in Punjab police, as per The Times of India.
Earlier this year, Harmanpreet had quit her Western Railway job to take over as DSP in Punjab Police. The Punjab government had offered her the role for her starring role in last year’s World Cup. She was instrumental in India’s march to the final.
After a slow start to the tournament, Harmanpreet had taken the competition by storm. She scored 60 in the must-win game against New Zealand, helping India win the game by 186 runs to make it to the semifinal.
In the semifinal, she blew away defending champions Australia with a stunning ton. The right-hander blasted 171 off 115 balls with the help of 20 fours and seven huge sixes to take India in the final. She was also looking in good form in the final against England. She scored a fighting fifty, but India eventually lost the game by nine runs.
The Punjab government decided to reward her with the prestigious post. However, they have now stripped her of the post due to the fake degree.
“The state government has written to Harmanpreet that since now her qualification can only be treated as Class XII, she can at best be retained by Punjab Police as constable,” TOI quoted a senior government functionary in Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s office.
As per the rules, only graduate sportspersons are eligible for Class I level postings.
Harmanpreet had submitted a graduation certificate from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut at the time of joining. But the varsity had recently informed the Punjab Armed Police the role number on the mark-sheet does not exist in their records.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government is not contemplating any legal action against the cricketer. But in case they file an FIR, Harmanpreet may even lose her Arjuna Award and other government benefits.
“She is a player of international repute and was given DSP rank on the basis of her achievements in the field of cricket,” the official said.