The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken decisive legal action against athlete Sachin Poswal, registering a First Information Report (FIR) for allegedly using forged documents to create multiple identities and circumvent a four-year suspension for doping violations.
The Anatomy of the Alleged Fraud
According to the FIR, filed on the complaint of Inspector Jitendra Kumar, Poswal is accused of deceiving the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). The central agency alleges he generated different Unique Athlete Identification (UID) numbers by submitting fake Aadhaar cards and other false credentials. This elaborate scheme was reportedly designed to evade a ban imposed by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
Sachin Poswal was initially suspended by NADA for violating anti-doping rules. His appeal to revoke the provisional suspension was rejected by the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, leading to a formal four-year ban effective from January 31, 2024.
Multiple Identities and Competitions
Despite the active ban, Poswal allegedly managed to create three separate UIDs. He used these forged identities to participate in at least three different athletic competitions.
A Delhi State Athletics official, speaking anonymously, revealed the athlete used aliases like Sachin Gujjar and Rachin Gujjar during this period. His alleged participation timeline is as follows:
- June 2024: Participated in a Delhi state meet while suspended.
- December 2024: Competed as Sachin Gujjar in the Delhi cross-country championship, finishing third in the U-20 eight-kilometre race.
- June 2025: Took part in the U20 Federation Cup in Allahabad under the name Rachin Gujjar.
The fraud was eventually uncovered, prompting the AFI to block his UIDs and file a complaint at Naraina Police Station, which later led to the CBI's involvement.
Official Reactions and Legal Framework
AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo confirmed the federation's stance, calling it a "straightforward case of forgery." He assured full cooperation with the CBI investigation. The FIR has been registered under Sections 318, 336, and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deal with cheating, forgery, and using forged documents.
This case highlights a serious attempt to undermine the integrity of India's anti-doping framework and athletic governance. The CBI's intervention underscores the severity of the allegations, which go beyond a doping violation to include systematic identity fraud.
