Top Court Grants Clean Chit to Indian Shuttlers
In a landmark judgment dated 28.07.2025, the Supreme Court of India quashed the criminal proceedings in the Lakshya Sen age fraud case, bringing closure to a long-drawn controversy surrounding Indian badminton stars Lakshya Sen and Chirag Sen. The two Olympians, along with their parents and coach, had been accused of falsifying age records to compete in junior-level badminton tournaments. The apex court held that the allegations were baseless, vindictive, and unsupported by any credible material, ruling that the continuation of the proceedings amounted
to an abuse of process.
Genesis of the Lakshya Sen Age Fraud Case
The Lakshya Sen age fraud case began with a private complaint filed by one Nagaraja M.G. before the High Grounds Police Station, Bengaluru, in June 2022. He alleged that Lakshya and Chirag had manipulated their date of birth to qualify for the Under-13 and Under-15 categories, thereby gaining wrongful advantage and government benefits. The complaint further accused their parents and coach, U. Vimal Kumar—Director of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy—
of participating in the alleged conspiracy.
Pursuant to the complaint, an FIR (No. 194/2022) was registered under Sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), and 471 (use of forged document) of the IPC. The criminal case sent shockwaves through India’s sporting community, particularly because the players had represented the country at prestigious international events, including the Commonwealth Games and BWF Championships.
Prior Investigations Already Closed the Matter
One of the pivotal points in the Lakshya Sen age fraud case was that the allegations were not new. The same charges had been raised and resolved nearly a decade earlier. In 2016, following anonymous complaints, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) initiated a formal inquiry. The players underwent bone ossification and dental tests at AIIMS Delhi, and their biological age was found consistent with their officially recorded date of birth.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) reviewed the matter and concluded in 2018 that there was no case to proceed, declaring the birth certificate and 10th class marksheet as conclusive proof of age. Relying on the CVC’s recommendation, SAI closed the case.
Supreme Court Finds Complaint Baseless and Vindictive
The Supreme Court, in its detailed judgment, emphasized that the entire Lakshya Sen age fraud case was built upon a single unverified document—a 1996 GPF nomination form allegedly filled by the players’ father. The Court observed that the form lacked authenticity, was unaudited, and could not override statutory records such as official birth certificates.
Importantly, the Court questioned the complainant’s motives, noting that his daughter had been denied admission to the same badminton academy in 2020. This sequence of events, the Court held, showed that the complaint was driven by personal animosity rather than public interest.
“To compel such individuals who have maintained an unblemished record and brought distinction to the country to undergo a
criminal trial in the absence of material is unacceptable,” the Court held.
Read the judgement here: Supreme Court Quashes FIR in Lakshya Sen & Chirag Sen Age Fraud Case
Court Slams Abuse of Criminal Process
Relying on precedents such as Pepsi Foods Ltd. v. Special Judicial Magistrate and State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal, the Court reaffirmed that when criminal law is misused to harass or settle scores, it becomes the judiciary’s duty to intervene. The Lakshya Sen age fraud case, the Court said, represented a textbook example of how criminal law can be misused to achieve collateral objectives.
The Court also held that even if the GPF form was genuine, it failed to establish any wrongdoing on the part of the players, their parents, or the coach. There was no evidence of forgery, inducement, or wrongful gain—each of which is a necessary element to sustain charges under Sections 420, 468, and 471 IPC.
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Conclusion: A Just End to an Unjust Case
By allowing the appeals filed by Lakshya and Chirag Sen and quashing the FIR and related proceedings, the Supreme Court has conclusively ended the Lakshya Sen age fraud case. This verdict not only clears the names of two of India’s top athletes but also sends a strong message against frivolous and malicious litigation. In doing so, the Court has preserved the integrity of judicial process and protected the careers of sportspersons who continue to bring honour to the nation.
