Star badminton player Lakshya Sen faces age fabrication alle

Badminton player Lakshya Sen, a prominent figure in Indian sports, is currently embroiled in a legal battle concerning allegations of age fabrication to gain an advantage in underage badminton tournaments. The controversy has reached the Supreme Court after the Karnataka High Court allowed an investigation into the matter.

The Case at Hand: Lakshya Sen's Legal Struggles

The controversy surrounding Lakshya Sen began with accusations that he and his brother, Chirag Sen, fabricated their birth certificates to qualify for junior badminton tournaments, starting as far back as 2010. The case has drawn attention due to the involvement of family members and the coach at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, U. Vimal Kumar, who has allegedly been complicit in the age-fabrication process.

What Happened in the Karnataka High Court?

In February 2024, the Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition filed by Lakshya Sen and his family, seeking to quash an investigation into the accusations. The High Court ruled that there was prima facie evidence that justified the continuation of the investigation, allowing the case to move forward.

Ruling by the High Court: The court emphasized that the complainant, M.G. Nagaraj, had provided sufficient documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which were used to support his claims. These documents suggested that Lakshya Sen’s father, a coach at the Prakash Padukone Academy, had been involved in forging the birth certificates.
Investigating Authority: The High Court allowed the Karnataka police to investigate the matter, leading to the registration of an FIR in December 2022 under sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), and 471 (using forged documents) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Allegations: What Is Lakshya Sen Accused Of?

M.G. Nagaraj, the private complainant in the case, alleges that Lakshya and Chirag Sen’s parents, along with their coach, conspired to falsify their birth certificates to show a younger age. This, according to Nagaraj, was done with the intent to gain eligibility for junior badminton competitions and possibly claim government benefits.

Key Allegations and Documents

Fabrication of Birth Certificates: It is claimed that the Sen family, through their connections, managed to manipulate the birth records, making the Sen brothers appear younger by about two and a half years.
Departmental Inquiry: The complaint also includes an inquiry into Lakshya’s father, which reportedly found him guilty of falsifying records. This inquiry was conducted by the Sports Authority of India and corroborated by the disciplinary authority.
RTI-Obtained Documents: Nagaraj’s allegations are further backed by documents obtained through RTI, which have been presented in court as evidence of the alleged fabrication.

The Role of the Supreme Court: Latest Developments

On February 25, 2025, the Supreme Court took a significant step in this legal dispute. It issued notice in response to Lakshya Sen’s Special Leave Petition (SLP), challenging the Karnataka High Court’s decision to allow the investigation to proceed.

Stay on Coercive Steps: While the Supreme Court did not halt the investigation, it stayed coercive actions against Lakshya and his family for the time being. This means that no arrest or other harsh actions can be taken against them while the case is being reviewed.
Next Hearing: The matter will be heard again by the Supreme Court on April 16, 2025, when it will consider the responses from the Karnataka government and the complainant.
Defensive Stance of Lakshya Sen: Lakshya Sen and his defense team have consistently denied the allegations, arguing that the case is baseless and stems from personal bias. They claim that M.G. Nagaraj harbors a personal vendetta due to his daughter’s rejection from the Prakash Padukone Academy in 2020. The defense further argues that the matter was previously resolved by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in 2018, which had accepted their birth records as legitimate and closed the issue. However, the Karnataka High Court found new grounds to continue the probe, which has revived the legal proceedings.

What Lies Ahead?

As the legal battle continues, the future of Lakshya Sen’s badminton career remains uncertain. The investigation, which was initially stayed by the High Court, is now back on track, and the Supreme Court’s decision to stay coercive steps provides a temporary reprieve. However, the case is far from over, and the investigation is expected to proceed with full scrutiny.

This case highlights the growing scrutiny of age fraud in sports, a problem that has plagued various athletic disciplines, including badminton. As tournaments become increasingly competitive, allegations of age manipulation often surface, leading to a loss of trust in the integrity of sports organizations.

Key Takeaways

Supreme Court's Intervention: The Supreme Court has intervened in the ongoing legal case against Lakshya Sen, staying coercive actions and issuing a notice for further examination.
Investigation Continues: Despite the temporary stay on coercive steps, the investigation into the allegations of age fabrication continues, with the next hearing scheduled for April 16, 2025.
Personal Grudge or Genuine Fraud?: The dispute hinges on whether the allegations of age manipulation are driven by personal grudges or whether there is genuine evidence of wrongdoing.

This high-profile case involving Lakshya Sen underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and integrity in sports, especially in age-restricted competitions. The coming months will likely bring clarity to the allegations, with the legal system expected to provide a final ruling on the matter.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies