Hyderabad: Cricketer-turned-politician Mohammed Azharuddin appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday in a money laundering case related to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
Azharuddin, who was once the president of HCA, went to the ED’s office after receiving a notice from the agency. The ED had initially asked him to come on October 3, but he requested more time.
In response, the ED sent him a new notice, asking him to appear on October 8. Azharuddin has been accused of misusing funds during his time as HCA president, but he has denied these allegations, calling them false.
Currently, Azharuddin serves as the Working President of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC).
The ED is investigating a ₹20 crore fraud case involving the HCA. Last year, the agency questioned former cricketers Arshad Ayub and Shivlal Yadav as part of the investigation.
The central agency also questioned former minister and ex-HCA president G. Vinod. In November 2022, the ED conducted searches at the homes of Vinod, Ayub, and Yadav. These searches were carried out at nine locations across the state under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The ED’s investigation is based on three First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Hyderabad. These FIRs involve the alleged misuse of ₹20 crore in HCA funds.
The ACB filed these FIRs for irregularities in the purchase of equipment like diesel generators (DG sets), firefighting systems, and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium. There were also claims that several projects were delayed, causing costs to increase and financial losses to the HCA.
Azharuddin became the HCA president in 2019. His term ended in February 2023, after the Supreme Court appointed a one-member committee to manage the HCA and oversee new elections.
