Rahul Bose faces legal action over alleged fake Himachal domicile: report

Rahul Bose in legal trouble

Actor and former rugby player Rahul Bose finds himself at the centre of a heated controversy in Himachal Pradesh, facing allegations that he obtained a state domicile certificate under questionable circumstances to become the national president of the Rugby Federation.

The dispute has stirred both the sporting community and public debate on fairness and transparency in Indian sports administration.

The controversy dates back to 2023, when Bose reportedly promised the erstwhile royal family of Shimla that he would work towards establishing a recognised state-level rugby body.

As per India Today, two years later, the promised recognition has yet to materialise, leaving local rugby enthusiasts frustrated and feeling sidelined.

Divya Kumari, a member of the royal family of the Jubbal princely state, claims that her team had invested significant effort in building the original association, mobilising “hundreds of members from several districts.”

She alleges that despite their groundwork, their association is now being ignored, while a fresh body is formed under Bose’s leadership.

“She questions how one person can have domicile certificates from two different states,” the complaint reads. Divya Kumari points out that Bose was born in Kolkata and holds valid identification — including Aadhaar, passport, and domicile — from Maharashtra, where he built his career.

The allegations suggest he may have used the royal family’s goodwill for personal gain while securing the Himachal domicile certificate to strengthen his eligibility and obtain votes in the national selection process.

The matter has now reached the Himachal Pradesh High Court, with Divya Kumari filing a formal plea seeking intervention and investigation.

Local rugby circles express growing disappointment, particularly among those who helped establish the original association. Many perceive the formation of a parallel body as an attempt to erase their contributions, prompting urgent calls for accountability.

Divya Kumari has also alleged attempts to suppress the controversy, stressing that all stakeholders deserve clarity on the association’s future and leadership. The Himachal Pradesh High Court is set to hear the case on 18 December, a decision that could have wide-ranging implications for the state’s rugby governance