Azharuddin Appears Before ED In HCA Money Laundering Case

Former cricketer and politician Mohammed Azharuddin appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday, in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

The ED had summoned Azharuddin, who once served as HCA’s president, over allegations of misappropriation of funds during his tenure.

Azharuddin, who is currently the Working President of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), had earlier sought more time to respond to the notice served by the agency.

After his request, the ED issued a fresh notice, asking him to appear on 8 October. He denied all allegations of financial misconduct, calling them baseless.

The ED is investigating a suspected Rs 20 crore fraud within the HCA.

The inquiry stems from three FIRs lodged by the Hyderabad Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), accusing several HCA officials of criminal misappropriation related to the procurement of equipment for the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

These include diesel generators, firefighting systems, and stadium canopies.

Allegedly, delays in construction and project overruns led to inflated costs and losses for the association.

Azharuddin’s HCA Presidency Marked By Conflict & Legal Disputes

Azharuddin’s tenure as HCA president, which lasted from 2019 until February 2023, was marked by internal conflicts and legal disputes.

Disagreements within the HCA leadership prompted warring factions to approach the Telangana High Court.

Eventually, the matter escalated to the Supreme Court, which appointed a one-member committee to oversee HCA operations and disqualify Azharuddin from contesting future elections due to a conflict of interest.

Additionally, officials removed him from the voters’ list for simultaneously holding the presidency of the Deccan Blues Cricket Club.

The investigation into HCA finances has implicated several other former officials.

The ED previously questioned former cricketers Arshad Ayub and Shivlal Yadav in December last year, as well as former HCA president G Vinod.

In November 2022, ED officials conducted searches at nine locations, including the residences of Yadav, Ayub, and Vinod, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Azharuddin, along with other HCA officials, has also faced legal action on local criminal charges.

In October last year, authorities registered four cases against him and others, accusing them of misappropriating Rs 3.85 crore in association funds.

These cases, filed at Uppal Police Station under the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate, alleged that funds intended for cricket balls, gym equipment, fire safety materials, and stadium chairs were misused. Charges include criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and conspiracy.

Although a city court later granted anticipatory bail to Azharuddin in these cases, the ED’s probe into the larger Rs 20 crore fraud continues.

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