On Thursday, October 3, the Enforcement Directorate reportedly summoned former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin in a money laundering case. As per reports, the ED summoned Azharuddin, former Indian cricketer and Congress leader for questioning in a money laundering case linked to financial frauds in the Hyderabad Cricket Association. The probe is related to the financial irregularities in the HCA, where the ED conducted searches in November, 2023.
According to reports by PTI, the 61-year-old former MP has been asked to depose before the agency on October 3. The case stems from three FIRs and charge sheets filed by the Telangana anti-corruption bureau (ACB) for alleged criminal misappropriation of funds totaling up to INR 20 crore. Not only this, but the allegations also pointed to delays in project completion which then led to financial losses at the HCA.
Enforcement Directorate has summoned Mohammad Azharuddin: PTI Source
An official source was quoted as saying, “The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former India captain and Congress politician Mohammad Azharuddin for questioning in a money laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad Cricket Association.” It added, “The 61-year-old former Member of Parliament (MP) has been asked to depose before the federal agency at its office in Hyderabad on October 3.”
As per the charge sheet, despite deadlines, several works were delayed which led to escalated costs and budget enhancements and corresponding losses to the cricket association. Not only this, but it was also revealed that the office bearers of the HCA including the then secretary, president, vice president and others got various tenders and work allotted to their preferred vendors at higher prices than the market rates.