Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 10 (ANI): The President of Rugby India, Rahul Bose, has said that he will not be contesting the presidency as a candidate from Himachal Pradesh in the forthcoming Rugby India elections, amid allegations that he obtained a fake Himachal domicile certificate to gain an advantage.

The announcement follows after Diviya Kumari Jubbal, a member of the Jubbal royal family, accused Bose of using a fake certificate to manipulate the rugby elections for personal gain.

Also Read | India Defeat South Africa by 101 Runs in 1st T20I 2025; Hardik Pandya, Bowlers Power Hosts to Dominant Victory.

In a self-made video, Bose said, "The allegation is that I have obtained a domicile certificate from Himachal Pradesh so that I would be eligible to be sent up as a candidate from Himachal Pradesh for the post of President of Rugby India in the forthcoming Rugby India elections. I unequivocally state that I am not, and will not be, standing as a candidate from Himachal Pradesh for the forthcoming Rugby India elections. I hope this clarifies the matter."

"Another allegation is that I, as President of Rugby India, have prevailed upon the Rugby India Board to grant affiliation to a body in Himachal Pradesh that would, by suggestion, be amenable to putting me up as a candidate for President of Rugby India in the forthcoming Rugby India elections," Bose added.

Also Read | IND Win By 101 Runs | India vs South Africa Highlights of 1st T20I 2025: Hardik Pandya, Bowlers Help India Secure Dominant Victory.

Divya had raised questions about allegations over the Domicile certificate. She stated that Bose obtained a Himachal domicile certificate on 24 September 2025, which claimed he had been a resident of Kasauli for 16 years.

"Rahul Bose is originally from Mumbai and previously contested from Maharashtra. So how did he suddenly become Himachali? His Aadhaar and passport show Mumbai. We asked what had changed now?"

She alleges that the certificate was obtained to become eligible to contest the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) elections in Himachal. "He knew he could not get a nomination from Maharashtra this time. So he arranged a fake domicile to contest from Himachal."

Bose further said that these two issues are in court, so he'll wait for the court's decision. He trusts the judiciary and denies doing anything to harm rugby, saying he loves the sport and his country.

"The two issues, one, of granting affiliation to this body in Himachal Pradesh, and two, my obtaining a domicile certificate, are sub judice, and we will wait for the Honourable Court to decide. I have the highest faith and respect for the judiciary of our land. I love the sport. I love my country," Bose concluded. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)