Cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). The former president of the HCA, Azharuddin, is accused of misappropriating ₹20 crore, which had been allocated for purchasing diesel generators, firefighting systems, and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad.
This marks the first summons issued to Azharuddin, who is also a Congress leader, requiring him to appear before the ED to clarify his role in the financial transactions under scrutiny. However, the former Indian cricket captain did not appear before the ED as scheduled on Thursday and has sought additional time to respond to the summons.
The investigation into Azharuddin’s alleged financial misconduct stems from a series of FIRs filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Hyderabad. These FIRs accuse him and other former HCA officials of criminally misappropriating association funds. In November 2023, the ED had conducted searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, at nine locations across Telangana. These raids included the residences of past HCA officials like Gaddam Vinod, Shivlal Yadav, and Arshad Ayub, who previously served as the association’s president, vice-president, and secretary, respectively.
Additionally, the ED searched the offices of SS Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and the residence of its managing director, Satyanarayana. These operations resulted in the seizure of digital devices, incriminating documents, and unaccounted cash totaling ₹10.39 lakh. During a search at one of Gaddam Vinod’s premises, investigators discovered it was being used as an office for several companies owned or controlled by his brother, Gaddam Vivekanand, a former Member of Parliament.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities examine Azharuddin’s involvement in the alleged irregularities surrounding the procurement of goods and services for the stadium.