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Jammu Court Orders Into President Mithun Manhas' Date of Birth Allegations
In a significant development, the , has directed the to conduct a into allegations of date of birth forgery against President Mithun Manhas. The order, passed by Mr. Sandeep Singh Sen, KCS (Judicial) , stops short of ordering an immediate registration, instead requiring a police probe before any is registered.
Allegations of Dual Birth Dates
The complaint was filed by Sudershan Mehta , a retired Senior Deputy Superintendent of Police and former Joint Honorary Secretary of the . Mehta alleged that Manhas used two different dates of birth to gain an unfair advantage in junior-level cricket selections. According to the complaint, records from , obtained via email, list Manhas's date of birth as . In contrast, the official website of the reportedly records his date of birth as .
The complainant asserted that Manhas was initially a student at , shifted to MHAC School in Class 6 on (admission number 2236), and later studied at , during . The alleged discrepancy, Mehta argued, was part of a deliberate scheme to misrepresent his age and gain eligibility for sub-junior and junior national cricket tournaments under the banners of J&K Cricket Association and DDCA.
Court's Procedural Path
After perusing the application and supporting material, the court noted that under the , a is a mandatory prerequisite before the police can register a . The Magistrate observed:
“I have perused the application and other material annexed with the application and as per the provisions of BNSS before lodging or registering any by the concerned police, has to be conducted by the Magistrate.”
Based on this procedural requirement, the court refrained from ordering direct registration of an . Instead, it directed the Station House Officer of , to conduct a thorough and submit a report to the court by . The court emphasized that the direction does not amount to a against Manhas.
Broader Context
Mithun Manhas, a former first-class cricketer who represented Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi, became the first person from the union territory to be elected President in . The allegations of age manipulation are not unprecedented in Indian cricket, with several players, including Manjot Kalra and Rasikh Salam, having faced similar controversies. The complainant had earlier approached the police, including the , but claimed no action was taken.
Key Observations from the Judgment
The court's order highlights the importance of a as a filter before are initiated. The key observations include:
- The complaint was filed under seeking registration of an for alleged offences under Sections 318(4), 321, and 323 of the , corresponding to fraud, cheating, and forgery of date of birth.
- The complainant supported the application with an and sought action against Manhas for allegedly fabricating records to participate in junior cricket.
- The court directed: “SHO P/S Nowabad, Jammu is directed to conduct preliminary enquiry into the matter and submit its report before this court by or before 03.09.2026.”
What Happens Next?
The police inquiry will now examine the veracity of the documents and allegations. The report will determine whether the material warrants registration of a criminal case. The matter is listed for further review on . Until then, the allegations remain under scrutiny, and the court has reserved judgment on whether an should be ordered.
This case underscores the procedural safeguards under the BNSS, ensuring that complaints are investigated through a before a full-fledged criminal investigation is launched.
