Mohammad Azharuddin Summoned by ED Over Misappropriation of Funds, Ex-cricketer Seeks More Time

Former Indian Cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin has been asked to appear today in front of the Enforcement Directorate in Hyderabad in a case pertaining to the misappropriation of funds in the Hyderabad Cricket Association. The case concerns the purported misappropriation of ₹20 crore, which was allotted for the purchase of firefighting equipment, diesel generators, and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, which is located in the Uppal region of Hyderabad, India.

Mohammad Azharuddin Summoned By ED Over Misappropriation of Funds Case, Ex-Cricketer Asks For More Time

According to reports, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Hyderabad filed three FIRs and accompanying chargesheets alleging unlawful use of the Hyderabad Cricket Association's funds totaling Rs. 20 crore, upon which the Enforcement Directorate commenced an investigation. Mohammad Azharuddin is charged with the misuse of funds when he served as the Hyderabad Cricket Association's president. The former cricket player has been summoned to appear before the investigative agency for the first time.

In a new update, reports say that Azharuddin was not able to appear in front of the Enforcement Directorate today and has asked more time to appear in front of them the ED will present a new time for the former cricketer to appear.

The Hyderabad Police filed four criminal cases in October 2023 on the basis for the money laundering case. According to the applicable provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Azharuddin and other former HCA officials were accused of criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and conspiracy.

In accordance with the chargesheets, multiple projects had excessive delays in meeting deadlines, which resulted in increased expenses and budgetary adjustments as well as losses for the Hyderabad Cricket Association.

Additionally, it was discovered that the Hyderabad Cricket Association's office bearers, including its former secretary, president, vice president, and others, colluded with private parties to obtain various tenders and assign work to their preferred vendors/contractors at prices above market rates without adhering to the correct tender procedures and, in many cases, even before quotations were received. Numerous contractors received advance payments, but none of them completed any work.