HCA Money Laundering Probe: Ex-Cricketer-Turned-Politician Azharuddin Seeks More Time, ED To Issue New Summons
Ex-India cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin has requested more time after being summoned by the ED in connection with a money laundering investigation related to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
Mohammad Azharuddin, the former Indian cricketer-turned-politician, was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on October 3 (Thursday) in connection with a money laundering case with relation to financial irregularities of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). However, the former India captain did not appear before the ED on the day and requested more time. In response, the ED issued a summons to Azharuddin for October 8, calling him in for questioning in Hyderabad.
Azharuddin, a Congress leader who previously held the position of president at the HCA, is accused of misappropriating funds during his tenure, which he served from 2019 to 2023. This was the first summons issued to the Congress leader, requiring him to appear before the investigative agency on October 3 but now, since he requested for more time, the ED has summoned Azharuddin on October 8.
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The case involving Azharuddin in the money laundering investigation concerns the alleged misappropriation of ₹20 crore, which was intended for the procurement of diesel generators, firefighting systems and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad.
Notably, the HCA holds the reputation of being one of the most corrupt cricket boards in India.
ED ने अजहरुद्दीन को मनी लॉन्ड्रिंग केस में किया समन#ED #MoneyLaundering #Azharuddinhttps://t.co/fwZlkfpc6j
— ABP News (@ABPNews) October 3, 2024
The Hyderabad Police lodged four criminal cases back in October of last year and the former India captain, who led the Indian team in 47 Test matches and 174 One Day Internationals, was charged with criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and conspiracy under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with other former HCA officials.
Azharuddin denied the allegations, calling them false and politically motivated, suggesting it was merely a stunt by his rivals to damage his reputation. In November 2023, a Hyderabad court granted him anticipatory bail in three of the four cases.
Azharuddin played cricket for India from 1984 to 2000, wherein he captained the side from 1989 to 1999. In 47 Tests, he captained the Indian team to victory on 14 occasions and faced defeat just as many times with 19 Tests ending in a draw. In ODIs, Azharuddin led India in 174 matches, where he won as captain on 90 occasions and lost 76 times.
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