PUNE, Sept. 9 -- Investigators have found around 1,200 to 1,500 allegedly fake Kurash sports certificates issued as part of a suspected racket, with some allegedly used to secure government jobs under the 5% sports quota. Police are now examining whether candidates also used such certificates to secure Class 1 and Class 2 posts through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). Crime Branch officials said 71 candidates recruited to the police and other government departments under the sports quota since 2023 have submitted Kurash certificates. The Directorate of Sports is also checking its records, they said. A senior Crime Branch officer said police were examining whether the certificates were used to claim sports quota benefits in MPSC recruitment. "Police suspect that some candidates may have availed themselves of the 5% sports quota for Class 1 and Class 2 posts through the MPSC on the basis of fake certificates showing participation or achievement in national and international-level Kurash competitions," the officer said. Investigators are examining the role of Maharashtra Kurash Association office-bearers, players and others allegedly involved in issuing or using them. Tejaswi Satpute, additional commissioner of police (Crime), said some individuals had issued Kurash player certificates despite having no affiliation with the national-level Kurash association. "Kurash is a relatively lesser-known international and national sport. Some individuals issued Kurash player certificates without having any affiliation with the national-level Kurash association. These certificates were used to claim benefits under the 5% sports quota, depriving genuine sportspersons of the benefits they were entitled to," she said. Police said the alleged racket involved preparing certificates by showing that Kurash competitions had been held at taluka, district and state levels. Several competitions mentioned in the certificates allegedly never took place. The documents were allegedly prepared between 2016 and 2023. The probe has also raised questions over Pune police recruitment. Satpute said 19 of the 104 posts available under the sports category were filled by candidates who submitted Kurash certificates. "Of the 19 candidates, 10 have joined the force and are undergoing training, while nine are yet to join," she added. Gauhar Hasan, deputy commissioner of police (Crime), said investigators found discrepancies in the certificates and related correspondence. "Dharashiv and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar were mentioned in certificates and related correspondence for events that were allegedly held before 2023, when these districts were still known as Osmanabad and Aurangabad. The districts were renamed in 2023," Hasan said....