In a significant development in a money laundering investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Indian cricket captain and current politician Mohammed Azharuddin to provide testimony regarding his alleged involvement in a financial scandal linked to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
The ED’s inquiry centers around claims of misappropriation of funds during Azharuddin’s tenure as HCA president.
The ED has requested Azharuddin’s presence on Thursday as it probes a fraud amounting to Rs 20 crore associated with the HCA.
The cricketer, who currently serves as the working president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) and has previously held a seat in the Indian Parliament, faces serious allegations concerning the management of HCA finances.
The investigation has been ongoing since December, when the ED interrogated former cricketers Arshad Ayub and Shivlal Yadav as part of its inquiry.
Additionally, the agency has also questioned former HCA president G Vinod.
In November of the previous year, the ED conducted extensive searches at multiple locations, including the residences of Vinod, Shivlal Yadav, and Arshad Ayub, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
This investigation stems from three FIRs filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Hyderabad, which allege significant financial irregularities within the HCA.
The complaints point to mismanagement related to the procurement of critical equipment for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium, such as diesel generator sets, firefighting systems, and canopies.
Reports indicate that delays in project completion contributed to inflated costs, ultimately leading to substantial financial losses for the association.
Last October, authorities registered four criminal cases against Azharuddin and others for allegedly misappropriating Rs 3.85 crore.
These funds were intended for purchasing cricket balls, gym equipment, fire safety apparatus, and seating for the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
Azharuddin faces charges of criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and conspiracy.
In a previous ruling, a city court granted anticipatory bail to Azharuddin in connection with these four cases, with the cricketer vehemently denying the allegations, calling them baseless and driven by ulterior motives.
Azharuddin’s leadership of the HCA began in 2019 but came to an end in February 2023 when the Supreme Court intervened, appointing a one-member committee to oversee HCA affairs and facilitate elections.
Internal conflicts marred his term, leading to legal disputes that reached the Supreme Court.
Consequently, the appointed committee disqualified Azharuddin from participating in the HCA elections due to a perceived conflict of interest stemming from his position as president of the Deccan Blues Cricket Club during his HCA presidency.
As the investigation unfolds, the ED’s actions have attracted significant media attention, highlighting the intersection of sports and politics in India, along with the pressing issues of financial integrity in sports administration.
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