Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over a money laundering case concerning the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). As per reports, the central agency recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
He was asked to appear before the agency on October 3 but sought deferment of the notice and after which, ED asked him to come on October 8. The Member of Parliament reached the office dressed in a white kurta pyjama at 11 am and he was also accompanied by his legal team.
As per News18, the probe is related to financial irregularities at the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). Notably, three FIRs and charge sheets were filed by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau over the misappropriation of funds amounting to INR 20 crore.
Other HCA office-bearers, such as former vice president and Indian cricketer Shivlal Yadav, Congress MLA and ex-HCA president Gaddam Vinod, and former HCA secretary Arshad Ayub’s house have been raided in connection to the case.
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It was also found that the former HCA officials allotted vendors higher than the market rates without a proper tender process and in some cases, the receipt of the same is also missing. Interestingly, advance payments were made by the same officials but none of the work has been done.
The work was also delayed inordinately, leading to an escalation in the budget. As per the chargesheet, there are “allegations of serious irregularities in the procurement of DG sets, firefighting systems and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium constructed in Uppal, Hyderabad,” as ED confirmed.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Azharuddin has denied his involvement in any of these. He stated that the allegations are ‘false’ and motivated, and are ‘just a stunt’ to ruin his reputation.