Indian women T20 captain loses DSP rank over fake degree

NEW DELHI: Punjab police have withdrawn the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) rank of Indian Women’s T20 captain Harmeenpreet Kaur after her graduation degree proved to be fake.

Kaur had joined the Punjab police as a DSP on March 1 and submitted a 2011 graduation degree issued by Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, which was proven to be fake in the police verification process.

"The state government has written to Harmanpreet that since now her qualification can only be treated as Class XII, she can at best be retained by the Punjab police as a constable," a senior official in Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh office told Indian media. 

The athlete may also lose her Arjuna award if the Punjab police file a case against her for forgery and criminal conspiracy in relation to her fake degree.

However, she refused to respond to media inquiries and states: "I am not well and taking rest. Will tell you later."

She has also been signed by Lancashire Thunder as their overseas player for the 2018 season of England's Kia Super League and is expected to leave for Britain on July 15.

She was offered the post of the DSP by the chief minister following her remarkable performance in the women's world cup last year.