India, Sept. 10 -- The Pune police used an unusual method to verify whether a Kurash certificate was genuine or fake. They asked candidates claiming to be trained players to demonstrate their sporting skills. Kurash is an internationally recognised combat sport: a form of upright wrestling in which two players attempt to throw each other to the ground while remaining on their feet.

According to an officer investigating the alleged fake certificate racket, city police started physically testing candidates recruited under the five per cent sports quota to determine whether they actually possess the sporting skills claimed in their documents. Going beyond verifying certificates and documents, they are now examining candidates' knowledge, co...