MS Shanker
As promised, we are taking a tougher stand against corruption in HCA and the apathy of both state police and the Enforcement Directorate. Their inaction has emboldened wrongdoers, worsening the situation over time. Though corruption in HCA was traced as early as 2003, it gained traction only when former committee member Babu Rao Sagar filed a case in the High Court (Case No. 6037/ACB/CIU-Hyd-2011). At the time, former Indian off-spinner and national selector Shivlal Yadav was the secretary, Yadagiri was the joint secretary, and Gaddam Vinod was HCA president.
Babu Rao Sagar, a politically active member associated with the Telugu Desam Party, was encouraged by fellow committee members Vijayanand, Upendra Agarwal, M Narender Goud and Syed Moiz, to expose financial misappropriation within the association. The trio of Vinod, Shivlal Yadav, and Yadagiri played a key role in constructing Uppal Stadium. According to Babu Rao, the late Dr. M.V. Sridhar, then an influential office bearer, ensured the construction contract went to Nagarjuna Constructions despite the committee initially favoring Larsen & Toubro, known for quality and timely execution.
The decision to award the contract to Nagarjuna Constructions was allegedly driven by financial incentives for key HCA officials. The firm systematically escalated project costs, allowing those involved to pocket significant kickbacks. When some committee members, were denied their share, they pressured Babu Rao to take legal action.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-iii/
Trusting their intentions, Babu Rao took the initiative to file a complaint with the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The ACB responded swiftly, conducting raids at the HCA office and seizing incriminating documents, computer disks, and other materials. Their investigation culminated in a voluminous report naming over 30 individuals involved in financial misconduct.
Despite the ACB’s findings, the corruption allegations faced multiple roadblocks. The Shivlal Yadav-led faction made several attempts to have the case quashed in the High Court but failed. Allegations also surfaced that some influential bureaucrats, including a former ACB chief and even a former chief secretary, tried to shield the accused in return for favours.
Although the court refused to dismiss the case on at least four occasions, those implicated, including Shivlal Yadav, Vinod, and Dr. Sridhar, continued to wield influence. A former chief secretary was even accused of shielding the accused in HCA affairs to secure a spot for his son in the Under-19 state team. As a result, despite the weight of evidence, the case lost momentum over time.
Since then, corruption in the HCA has not only persisted but has also evolved. Team selections and elections for office bearers now come at a high price, with influence and money overshadowing merit. Politicians and businessmen have seized control of clubs, using illicit funds to consolidate power. The HCA has become a cash cow, with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) funds fuelling rampant malpractice.
During this writer’s investigation, Babu Rao revealed another attempted financial scandal involving former Indian cricketer and ex-HCA president Arshad Ayub. Ayub, under the pretence of promoting cricket, sought to acquire 40 acres of land for infrastructure development. However, Babu Rao, leveraging his political influence, discovered that the proposed land was disputed and belonged to the Waqf Board. Despite Ayub’s persistent efforts to gain his support, Babu Rao opposed the move, effectively halting another major financial misappropriation.
At that time, John Manoj was serving as the HCA secretary. While Manoj claims credit for establishing Hyderabad’s first cricket academy at St. John’s Church ground, records indicate that it was, in fact, former Test cricketer M.V. Narasimha Rao who initiated the project before leaving for a coaching assignment in Ireland. Rao had entrusted the responsibility to John Manoj, overseeing the academy. However, insiders suggest that Prasad, who preferred to avoid controversy, allowed Manoj to take over.
Despite repeated scandals, little has changed in HCA’s functioning. The Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee identified conflicts of interest and multiple irregularities in its 2016 report. This led to the appointment of former judge L Nageswara Rao as a one-man committee to set the association’s affairs in order. However, administrative inertia and vested interests continue to stall much-needed reforms.
The state of Hyderabad cricket remains dire, plagued by deep-rooted corruption. Unless decisive action is taken against those responsible, the sport’s decline in the city will persist. (To be concluded) (The next installment in this series will delve into the ongoing legal battles and the individuals still pulling the strings behind the scenes.)
