BCCI faces flak for ignoring 'forgery' by Goa cricket chief

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was today accused of turning a blind eye towards the alleged forgery of the birth certificate of his son by Goa Cricket Association's (GCA) former vice-president, Dayanand Narvekar.

Shekhar Salkar, a former GCA executive member who has filed a police complaint against Narvekar and his family members, said the BCCI had discovered the forgery two years back, but did not take appropriate action.

Based on Salkar's complaint, the police yesterday filed an FIR against Narvekar, his wife Sushma, son Ganeshraj and two others. They have been booked for cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

According to the complaint, Narvekar, an ex-Goa minister, allegedly forged the birth certificate of his son Ganeshraj to facilitate his participation in an under-15 cricket tournament.

"When BCCI realised that Narvekar had let his son Ganeshraj play for the third time in the under-15 category, the Board wrote to GCA. But he was fined a mere Rs5,000 and let off," Salkar claimed.

Salkar said the apex cricket body in the country had failed in its duty by not taking action against Narvekar for such "gross misconduct and fraud".

The BCCI, in a letter dated April 25, 2008, signed by chief administrative officer RS Shetty, had expressed surprise about how Ganeshraj was allowed to play in the under-15 tournament in the 2007-08 season under the name Anish N.

"This is a clear violation of BCCI rules and calls for punitive action," Shetty had said in the letter, according to Salkar.

Salkar today demanded that Narvekar step down as the GCA president. "Police should immediately arrest Narvekar as offences against him are of serious nature."

As per the complaint, Ganeshraj, after playing for two seasons -- 2005-06 and 2006-07 -- for the South Zone under-15 team, was allowed to play for the third time by changing his name.

It said that Ganeshraj's name was changed to Anish, his pet name, and a fake birth certificate was submitted to ensure his participation in the tournament.

The complainant has also attached documents, obtained under Right to Information Act, showing that Ganeshraj had two different birth certificates.

As per GCA record, his birth date is September 1, 1993, while the certificate procured from the local municipality shows his birthday as February 28, 1993.

The complaint also stated that Ganeshraj has given another birth certificate claiming his birth date as February 28, 1992 to get admission in a school.

When contacted, BCCI CAO Shetty declined to comment.