NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricket captain and Congress chief Mohammad Azharuddin skipped summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in reference to a cash laundering case associated to alleged monetary irregularities within the Hyderabad Cricket Affiliation (HCA), in accordance with official sources quoted by PTI.
The 61-year-old former MP was summoned to document his assertion underneath the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act (PMLA) on the ED workplace in Hyderabad.Nevertheless, he requested extra time and has been issued a contemporary summons for October 8.
The investigation pertains to alleged monetary irregularities within the HCA. In November final 12 months, the ED performed searches associated to the case, raiding the premises of former HCA workplace bearers, together with ex-vice president and Indian cricketer Shivlal Yadav, Congress MLA and ex-president Gaddam Vinod, former HCA secretary Arshad Ayub, and the workplace of S S Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and the residence of its MD Satyanarayana.
The cash laundering case originates from three FIRs and cost sheets filed by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for alleged felony misappropriation of HCA funds amounting to Rs 20 crore. One of many FIRs was registered based mostly on a grievance by HCA CEO Suneel Kante Bose after an interim forensic audit report discovered sure transactions with third-party distributors to be “not real” and detrimental to the affiliation’s curiosity.
The police cost sheets allege severe irregularities within the procurement of DG units, firefighting techniques, and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad. Regardless of deadlines, a number of works had been delayed, resulting in elevated prices, finances enhancements, and corresponding losses to the HCA. The workplace bearers of the HCA, together with its then secretary, president, and vice-president, allegedly colluded with non-public events to allot tenders and works to most popular distributors at inflated costs with out following correct tender processes and even earlier than receiving quotations.
The ED’s raids final 12 months resulted within the seizure of digital gadgets, “incriminating” paperwork, and “unaccounted” money of Rs 10.39 lakh. The forensic report famous that “Mohammad Azharuddin, the then president of the affiliation within the ninth Apex Council assembly held on March 3, 2021 had sought to take up discussions concerning firefighting tools. Nevertheless, subsequently, with out assigning any causes, the tender was not allotted to any of the bidders. Thereafter, HCA had floated a second tender for a similar work”.
Azharuddin, a recipient of the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award, started his political profession by successful the Moradabad Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh in 2009. He presently serves because the working president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC).
