Telangana CID has arrested five people, including the president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), A Jagan Mohan Rao, following the IPL ticket scam for forgery of documents and misappropriation of funds. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had ordered a CID inquiry after IPL franchisee Sunrisers Hyderabad had threatened to move out of the city and choose a different venue for the rest of the IPL season after alleging harassment by HCA for complimentary tickets, particularly by the HCA president.
Apart from Rao, the CID arrested the treasurer of HCA, JS Srinivasa Rao, and CEO Sunil Kante along with C Rajendra Yadav and his wife, G Kavitha. Following the arrest, former cricketer and ex-HCA president Mohammad Azharuddin called for the disbandment of the current HCA administration.
According to a statement issued by CID, the probe revealed that the HCA president gained entry into the association through forged documents, which were procured through C Rajendra Yadav and his wife, C Kavitha, who were the general secretary and president of Sri Chakra Club, respectively. They forged the signature of C Krishna Yadav, who is the president of the Gowlipura Cricket Club. “These forged documents were used as genuine, enabling A Jagan Mohan Rao to dishonestly gain entry into HCA as president,” stated CID.
The investigators found Rao had colluded with the other accused persons, namely treasurer CJ Srinivas Rao and HCA CEO Sunil Kante, and misappropriated public funds, and also intimidated and blackmailed officials of Sunrisers Hyderabad over complimentary tickets and access to corporate boxes, and threatened them with dire consequences. The five accused were arrested by the CID yesterday evening. The demand for complimentary tickets for IPL matches made by HCA over and above the 3900 passes already given by the franchisee was allegedly linked to black marketing, denying genuine cricket fans.
HCA has long been accused of incompetence and graft. Following the arrest of Rao and his associates, Mohammad Azharuddin tweeted, “I am deeply disturbed by the ongoing IPL ticket scam and rampant corruption within the Hyderabad Cricket Association. The current HCA body has failed its duty and must be held accountable.” He further said, “I urge immediate action, a thorough investigation, and the disbandment of the current HCA administration. It’s time to clean up the system and restore integrity to Hyderabad cricket.