India captain Harmanpreet’s degree fake, says University

The graduation degree of India women’s T20 team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been found to be fake in a vigilance inquiry conducted by the Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut, a university official said on Tuesday.

The issue came to light when an officer from Punjab Police contacted university authorities for verifying Harmanpreet’s testimonials. The cricketer was appointed deputy superintendent of police in Punjab Police in March under the sports quota.

Head of CCS University’s vigilance Cell, Prof Sanjay Bharadwaj, said: “A police officer from Jalandhar approached the university in April for verification of the BA degree of Harmanpreet Kaur. She claimed to have passed the course in 2011. During investigation, Kaur’s enrolment was not found in university records. The officer was informed about the details.” Prof Bharadwaj said thousands of mark-sheets and degrees were sent to CCS University for verification and the vigilance team had a set procedure to verify documents.

Harmanpreet was given the Arjuna Award last year, soon after helping India reach the final of the 50-over World Cup.

In Mohali, there was drama on Tuesday as Harmanpreet made a hasty exit from a promotional event after refusing to answer questions about the controversy. A huge media contingent greeted her at the event as she arrived with bouncers throwing a protective ring around her.

The 29-year-old player locked herself in a van parked at the venue for over 30 minutes to avoid the media. Even when she came to join the anchor on the stage, there were bouncers at hand. The moment the event ended, she made a quick exit.

Attempts to reach Harmanpreet for reaction were unsuccessful as her mobile was switched off.

A former teammate of Harmanpreet in the Punjab team, who did not wish to be identified, said: “It is shocking to know this. As per my knowledge, she studied in Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya College in Jalandhar for graduation. I remember her representing Guru Nanak Dev University in the All-India Inter-University cricket tournaments. I don’t know if she passed BA from the Jalandhar college or not, but she did study there.”

Harmanpreet, under whom India lost the Asia Cup final to Bangladesh last month, has also been in the news for reportedly complaining, along with ODI skipper Mithali Raj, to the Committee of Administrators against coach Tushar Arothe’s training style and pushing for his ouster.

MEERUT/MOHALI: IN MOHALI, THERE WAS DRAMA ON TUESDAY AS HARMANPREET MADE A HASTY EXIT FROM A PROMOTIONAL EVENT AFTER REFUSING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS