By Our Correspondent
Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) on Thursday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged misappropriation of ₹69 crore meant for cricket development, accusing officials of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) of diverting the funds through a “quid pro quo” arrangement with Visaka Industries.
Addressing a media conference in Secunderabad, TCA General Secretary Guruva Reddy released a set of documents that he claimed reveal financial irregularities, deliberate misconduct, and failure on the part of the HCA management to safeguard public funds. He alleged that several crores earmarked for the development of cricket in Telangana were “conveniently transferred” to Visaka Industries without the HCA properly contesting the arbitration proceedings.
Reddy demanded strict action against industrialist Dr. G. Vivekanand and members of the HCA Apex Council whom he accused of being responsible for the alleged fraud. According to him, observations made earlier by Justice L. Nageshwar Rao and a Division Bench comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice B.R. Madhusudhan Rao had also raised concerns over the manner in which the matter was handled.
The TCA leader further accused the HCA of showing little interest in actual cricket development despite directions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for both associations to hold discussions and work towards collaboration. A meeting between the two bodies was held on February 18 under the chairmanship of Justice Naveen Rao.
“During the meeting, TCA presented a detailed PowerPoint on cricket development across Telangana. However, HCA did not place any proposal for collaboration,” Reddy alleged.
He said the court had directed both associations to submit affidavits within four weeks on cooperation between them, but accused HCA of repeatedly ignoring directions issued by the Supreme Court, the Bombay High Court and the Telangana High Court.
Reddy also questioned the appointment of the HCA Chief Executive Officer, alleging that the post was filled without proper qualifications, and claimed that the current HCA president’s selection violated established rules.
While HCA frequently claims it is working to promote cricket in the districts, Reddy alleged that it has failed to respond to development proposals submitted by TCA and remains focused only on funds received from the BCCI.
The TCA said it had already submitted complaints to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) last year regarding the alleged financial irregularities, but claimed that no meaningful progress had been made in the investigation.
Demanding accountability, Reddy said the TCA would submit a fresh representation to the CID and the Director General of Police on Friday and urged authorities to hand over the case to the CBI if state agencies fail to act.
He also called for the dissolution of the Hyderabad Cricket Association and registration of criminal cases against those responsible for the alleged financial misconduct.
