MS Shanker
In continuation of my pursuit to expose those truly responsible for the downfall of Hyderabad cricket—some of whom even represented India—it must be reiterated: the rot runs deep. Despite the Supreme Court’s intervention and its directive to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) to implement the Justice Lodha Committee reforms—including appointing Ombudsmen to tackle corruption, favouritism, and nepotism—little has changed on the ground.
In this episode, I bring to light the scathing observations of Justice N.A. Kukru. His report, though allegedly influenced by certain crooks masquerading as former state cricketers, still warrants public attention. Cricket lovers who take pride in Hyderabad’s legacy and who are concerned about its sharp decline should pay close attention.
Adding to HCA’s mess is the suspicious inaction of the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Despite identifying serious irregularities involving over 30 individuals—including several former players—the ACB has inexplicably withheld its prosecution report from the High Court. Why? The reasons are best known to them.
This episode focuses on one such murky figure—former players and their questionable roles.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-xi/
What’s even more telling is that when the Supreme Court appointed a four-member Supervisory Committee, it merely asked Vanka Pratap to “guide” the committee. Yet, critics allege that he manipulated his way into the committee, leveraging his proximity to former Chief Justice of India, Justice N.V. Ramana. Armed with that clout, Vanka reportedly took arbitrary decisions—sidelining even the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee, Justice Kukru, a former Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, simply because he wasn’t from the state.
Ironically, Justice Kukru extended professional courtesy and magnanimity toward Vanka Pratap as well as the other two members, then DGP Anjani Kumar and former Test cricketer Venkatapathi Raju. Critics go further, accusing Vanka of playing a double game—misleading both Justice Kukru and DGP Anjani Kumar, even pitting them against each other while pushing his own agenda.
Against this backdrop, I believe it is time to bring Justice Kukru’s correspondence into the public domain, especially with the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for Sunday, June 29. What’s likely to happen? Your guess is as good as mine. But going by past precedent, the rogue club members and compromised office-bearers—many neck-deep in conflicts of interest—will bulldoze a one-line resolution: that they “unanimously agree” to implement Ombudsman Eshwaraiah Goud’s recommendation.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-x/
Never mind that his term has already expired.
His proposal? That the apex council release development funds to each affiliated club—including for the two COVID years when no league matches were held. Depending on what shady backroom deals have been struck, they may even settle for half the amount. Either way, it’s not just irregular—it’s outrageous.
First, Goud has no authority to make such a recommendation post-retirement. Second, any such financial decision squarely falls under the AGM’s jurisdiction. And most importantly, this money—recently disbursed by the BCCI—is meant for the development of the game, not for feeding a bunch of greedy, illiterate club secretaries who treat their clubs as personal milch cows.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-ix/
Now, the man at the center of Justice Kukru’s damning report is none other than former Hyderabad Ranji player Vanka Pratap—whom I featured in another running series, How to Revive Hyderabad Cricket. To my surprise, the Kukru report reveals that Vanka actively misled the judge. As I admitted in the latest installment of that series (published in this e-paper last Saturday), Vanka had, during a personal interaction with me, positioned himself as a crusader for reform.
But Justice Kukru’s correspondence to the Supervisory Committee tells a very different story.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-part-viii/
Without mincing words, Justice Kukru accuses Vanka Pratap of misleading him—a charge that unmasks the true character of this so-called reformer. That a man once respected as a cricketer now stands exposed as a manipulative opportunist says everything about the moral collapse within Hyderabad cricket.
In a note addressed to the Supervisory Committee—comprising then state DGP Anjani Kumar and former Test cricketer Venkatapathi Raju—Justice Kukru writes:
“The cricket players and their parents have registered their protests against the Supervisory Committee for behaving like onlookers during unfair selections and for failing to provide remedial measures. They have sought clarification on many issues, including whether I had refused to attend meetings physically, thus casting aspersions even against me.”
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-vii/
He also raised a pertinent question: Who authorized Vanka Pratap to represent the Supervisory Committee in coordinating with the management of an international cricket match? Justice Kukru flagged how the courts have also refused to provide relief to aggrieved petitioners, citing that a Supervisory Committee was already in place.
He further questioned a controversial letter—Communication No. 1/HCA-Supervisory Committee/2022, dated 16-12-2022, issued and signed by Vanka Pratap and one other member, which declared the appointment of an Election Commission as invalid. Some complainants even supported Vanka’s move to block the ousting of Mohammad Azharuddin—then HCA President, former Indian captain, and a man facing serious graft allegations. The emails also demanded action against multiple corrupt clubs and called for revising GHMC’s club roster and extending membership to unrepresented districts.
Justice Kukru asked whether Venkatapathi Raju had refused to sign that controversial communication—or had he resigned from the Committee? Even the HCA’s CEO (a nominated official) has submitted a representation regarding these concerns.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/who-ruined-hyderabad-cricket-v/
Justice Kukru also exposed Vanka’s false claim that the Supervisory Committee couldn’t function due to his (Kukru’s) absence in Hyderabad. In fact, the meeting dates had been discussed and finalized electronically. Kukru cites an email dated 13-12-2022, in which he proposed:
“Let the Supervisory Committee meet by virtual mode tomorrow, the 14th, or the day after—the 15th December 2022—as per the convenience of the esteemed members or any other day they prefer.”
To this, Vanka Pratap replied:
“The Committee has been requesting you persistently for the last few weeks to come to Hyderabad. We are not able to proceed as you are not present. The Committee will start interacting with stakeholders, cricket lovers, and others from Monday. We have already informed all concerned. Please make it convenient to be in Hyderabad for two weeks starting from Monday, the 19th of December, 2022.”
This arrogant tone—essentially dismissing a senior retired judge—reflects the high-handedness of a cricketer who has clearly overstepped his brief.
Justice Kukru responded firmly:
“Although I am aware that unrebutted evidence can be deemed admitted, I had chosen to ignore the representations, WhatsApp messages, and screenshots from aggrieved persons. But now, having understood that the irresponsible assertion by Vanka Pratap—blaming the Committee’s failure on my absence in Hyderabad—is part of a deliberate blame game, I feel both morally and legally obligated to respond to each and every point, as far as possible.” (…To be continued in the next episode. Watch this column for more fearless exposures—without fear or favour, but solely in the interest of the game.)
