The Supreme Court of India has quashed the criminal proceedings against prominent badminton players Lakshya Sen and Chirag Sen, their parents, and their coach, Vimal Kumar. The case related to alleged falsification of birth records to gain entry into age-restricted tournaments. The Court ruled that the complaint was based on unverified documents and lacked any evidence of criminal intent.
Background of the Case
The complaint was initiated by Shri Nagaraja M.G. in June 2022, alleging that the appellants—Lakshya and Chirag Sen—misrepresented their dates of birth to compete in under-13 and under-15 badminton tournaments. The complaint also implicated their parents and coach, claiming they fabricated documents to support this alleged fraud.
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As the police did not register an FIR initially, a private complaint was filed, leading to FIR No. 194/2022 on December 1, 2022, under IPC Sections 420, 468, 471, and 34.
Senior Advocate Mr. C.A. Sundaram, representing the appellants, argued that:
- The case was a classic example of personal vendetta, filed after the complainant’s daughter was denied admission to the academy in 2020.
- The core document, a 1996 GPF nomination form, was unverified and inadmissible, and did not even mention Lakshya Sen.
- All official records, including birth certificates and Class 10 marksheets, were consistent and never challenged.
- Medical evaluations by AIIMS and other government hospitals confirmed the players' age in accordance with official documents.
- Multiple agencies including the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had previously investigated and closed the matter in 2018.
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The Karnataka High Court had earlier dismissed the writ petitions seeking to quash the FIR, stating that:
“Prima facie grounds for investigation exist based on documents accessed under RTI, and administrative closures cannot prevent criminal prosecution where cognizable offences are alleged.”
The Supreme Court, however, found the proceedings to be an abuse of legal process. The bench, led by Justice Aravind Kumar, made several strong observations:
“The allegations are based on conjecture and surmises, aimed at maligning the appellants. No wrongful gain or dishonest inducement has been shown.”
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The Court emphasized that:
- The 1996 GPF form alone could not override statutory birth records.
- There was no material to establish forgery, fabrication, or criminal intent.
- The complaint surfaced after a gap of several years, raising questions of mala fide intent.
- All previous investigations found no irregularity, including detailed age verification through medical tests.
The Court cited Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Ltd. v. Mohd. Sharaful Haque and Pepsi Foods Ltd. v. Special Judicial Magistrate, stressing that baseless criminal proceedings must be quashed to prevent harassment.
“To compel national-level sportspersons to face criminal trial in absence of any prima facie material would not serve the ends of justice.”
The Supreme Court allowed the appeals and quashed:
- FIR No. 194/2022 dated 01.12.2022
- P.C.R. No. 14448/2022
- The Karnataka High Court judgment dated 19.02.2025
Case Title: Chirag Sen & Others vs. State of Karnataka & Another
(Special Leave Petition (Criminal)
Diary No. 9824 of 2025 → Now Criminal Appeal, 2025 INSC 903)
Judgment Date: 28 July 2025