ED questions Azharuddin in HCA money-laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has quizzed former Indian cricket team captain and Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin over alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

According to official sources, his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Tuesday (October 8).

Azharuddin denies allegations

The 61-year-old former MP was questioned at the ED office in Hyderabad after he sought a fresh date after turning down an earlier request to be interrogated on October 3.

The ED had conducted searches in connection with the irregularities in HCA in November last year. Azharuddin, a Padma Shri, was a former president of the association.

After a case was registered by the Telangana Police last year, Azharuddin said the allegations against him were "false" and "motivated" and a stunt pulled by his rivals to ruin his reputation.

Allegations of corruption

The money-laundering case stems from three FIRs and charge sheets filed by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau in connection with alleged misappropriation of HCA funds worth Rs 20 crore.

One police FIR was registered after a forensic audit found that certain transactions done on behalf of the HCA with third-party vendors were found to be not genuine and were carried out in a manner detrimental to the interest of the association.

The police charge sheets contain allegations of irregularities in the procurement of DG sets, firefighting systems, and canopies for the Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium constructed in Hyderabad.

Also read: ED searches Telangana minister Srinivasa Reddy's premises in money laundering case

Contractors made money?

According to the charge sheets, several works were delayed inordinately, leading to escalated costs and budget enhancements and corresponding losses to the HCA.

It was found that the office bearers of the HCA, in collusion with private parties, got various tenders and works allotted to preferred vendors or contractors at higher than market rates without following proper tender processes.

Advance payments were made to many contractors but no work was done by them, it added.

ED scanner on HCA office bearers

The ED had raided the premises of former office bearers of the HCA, including former vice-president Shivlal Yadav, Congress MLA and ex-HCA president Gaddam Vinod, and former HCA secretary Arshad Ayub.

The ED said its raids last year led to the seizure of digital devices, incriminating documents, and unaccounted for cash worth Rs 10.39 lakh.

Azharuddin’s political graph

Azharuddin had sought to take up discussions regarding firefighting equipment. But without assigning any reason, the tender was not allotted to any of the bidders. Later, the HCA floated a second tender for the same work.

Azharuddin was elected to the Lok Sabha from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh on a Congress ticket in 2009. He is also a working president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.