ED issues notices to Azharuddin in HCA money laundering case
Former cricketer Azharuddin summoned by ED over alleged irregularities in Hyderabad Cricket Association between 2020-2023.
HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate has issued notices to former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin in connection with a money laundering case related to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
The notices were served regarding alleged financial irregularities that occurred between 2020 and 2023, when Azharuddin was serving as the president of HCA.
Several complaints were registered at the Uppal police station concerning irregularities in purchases of cricket balls, bucket chairs, and gym equipment during Azharuddin's tenure. Based on these complaints, an FIR was registered, leading the ED to initiate a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Although Azharuddin has already secured bail in some of these cases, the ED has now asked him to appear for further investigation.
Azharuddin, who also served as a Member of Parliament and is currently working as the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee's Working President, has been directed to appear before the ED on Thursday. The probe concerns alleged misappropriation of Rs 20 crore during his leadership of HCA. The ED had earlier questioned former cricketers Arshad Ayub and Shivlal Yadav in connection with the same case in December last year.
Former HCA president and minister G Vinod was also interrogated by the ED. In November last year, the ED conducted searches at the residences of Vinod, Shivlal Yadav, and Arshad Ayub. Nine locations were searched under the PMLA as part of this investigation. The allegations include irregularities in the procurement of DG seats, firefighting systems, and canopies for the Uppal Stadium.
In October last year, four criminal cases were registered against Azharuddin, accusing him of misusing approximately Rs 3.85 crore. These cases were filed at the Uppal police station on charges including cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. Azharuddin had been granted bail by the city court in all four cases. He was elected as HCA president in 2019 and served until February 2023.