Special Correspondent
The ongoing investigations into the affairs of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) appear to be gathering momentum, with three former office-bearers reportedly coming under intense scrutiny by the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) over alleged financial irregularities.
According to reliable sources familiar with the investigation, the CID has allegedly collected substantial material evidence during its inquiry into financial transactions involving HCA-affiliated clubs and vendors. The probe, which has been underway for several months, is understood to have uncovered statements from individuals who received payments from the association during the tenure of the former officials.
Sources claim that several club representatives and vendors, while being questioned by investigators, admitted to receiving payments from the HCA and, in some cases, allegedly parting with a portion of the money after withdrawing it from their accounts. It is further alleged that certain payments were made under pressure from those who held positions of authority within the association at the time. While these claims are yet to be officially confirmed by the CID, they are believed to form a crucial part of the ongoing investigation.
If the evidence withstands legal scrutiny, the three former officials—a former President, former Secretary and a former Apex Council member—could face arrest. Sources indicate that two of the individuals are currently abroad, reportedly in New Zealand and Dubai, amid speculation that they are apprehensive about possible legal action.
The developments also put to rest the perception in some quarters that investigative agencies had shown little interest in pursuing allegations of corruption and financial impropriety within the HCA despite repeated media reports and complaints. The CID’s ongoing inquiry suggests that the matter is very much alive and that investigators are proceeding independently.
The scrutiny on the HCA intensified after the Telangana High Court directed the state’s Director General of Police to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe various allegations surrounding the association. However, the CID had already commenced its investigation much earlier following a complaint lodged by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise.
The SRH complaint pertained to the alleged locking of a designated corporate box at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium by the then HCA President over a dispute regarding additional complimentary passes. The incident led to the arrest of the then President, Secretary and Treasurer, bringing unprecedented embarrassment to the state’s premier cricket body.
Subsequently, a truncated Apex Council of the HCA suspended and expelled the arrested office-bearers, paving the way for fresh elections. The legality of those decisions continues to remain a matter before the courts. Questions were also raised over the conduct of subsequent elections for key positions and the reinstatement of certain office-bearers, adding further layers to the administrative turmoil that has plagued the association.
The troubles for the HCA do not end there. The Income Tax Department is also understood to have issued notices to several affiliated clubs that received funds from the HCA, which were part of the annual financial assistance provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for cricketing and infrastructure-related activities, especially during former HCA Pesident, Jaganmohan Rao.
Over the years, the HCA has found itself mired in controversy—from allegations relating to age-fraud certificates and disputed elections to complaints of “pay-to-play” practices in player selections. With multiple investigations now progressing simultaneously, the association’s long-running governance crisis may finally be heading towards judicial and investigative scrutiny on an unprecedented scale.
The coming weeks could prove crucial, not only for the former officials under the scanner but also for the future credibility of cricket administration in Hyderabad.
