Former Indian cricket captain and Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin appeared before the Enforcement Directorate ( ED ) on Tuesday in connection with the investigation into the money laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). Official sources gave this information. The federal agency will question him and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), sources said. Earlier, the 61-year-old former MP was asked to appear before the federal agency on October 3, but he sought some time after which he was summoned on October 8.

Azharuddin reached the ED office with his legal team.

Azharuddin, dressed in a white kurta-pajama, reached the ED office at Fateh Maidan Road at around 11 am. He was accompanied by his legal team. This investigation is related to alleged financial irregularities in the HCA. The ED had conducted raids in this regard in November last year. Sources said that Azharuddin's role during his tenure as HCA president is under the agency's investigation. There has been no immediate response from Azharuddin. He contested the Telangana Assembly elections last year but lost.

The case was registered by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau.

After the Telangana police registered a case last year, he had said that the allegations against him were false and malicious and were done to tarnish his image. This money laundering case is related to three FIRs and charge sheets filed by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with the alleged criminal misappropriation of Rs 20 crore of HCA. One such police FIR was filed on the complaint of HCA Chief Executive Officer Sunil Kant Bose. This FIR was filed after a forensic audit (interim report) found that some transactions made by HCA with third party vendors were fraudulent and were causing harm to the interest of the association.

In an earlier statement, the ED had said that the chargesheet alleges serious irregularities in the purchase of diesel generators, fire fighting systems, and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium being built in Uppal, Hyderabad. According to the police chargesheet, several works were delayed inordinately despite the deadlines, leading to cost overruns and budget overruns causing losses to the HCA. The agency has alleged that it was found that HCA officials, in connivance with people, allotted various tenders and works to preferred contractors at prices higher than market rates without following proper tendering procedures and in many cases even before receiving quotations. It said that these officials include the then secretary, president, and vice-president of the HCA,, and others. It also said that several contractors were paid in advance even though they had not done any work.

Azharuddin is the working president of the Telangana Congress Committee.

The ED had conducted raids at the premises of former HCA office-bearers including former HCA vice-president and cricketer Shivlal Yadav, Congress MLA and former HCA president Gaddam Vinod, former HCA secretary Arshad Ayub besides the offices of a company called SS Consultants Pvt Ltd and the residential premises of its managing director (MD) Satyanarayana. The ED had said that digital devices, incriminating documents, and Rs 10.39 lakh were seized in the raids conducted last year. There was no account of the transactions of the seized money.

The forensic report also mentioned that in the 9th apex council meeting held on March 3, 2021, the then-president of the association Mohammad Azharuddin had sought to discuss regarding fire fighting equipment. However, the tender was later not allotted to any bidder without giving any reason. After this, the HCA had issued a second tender for the same work. The former cricketer has also received the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award. He started his political innings in 2009 with a win from Moradabad Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. He is also the working president of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC).