Azharuddin appears before ED in HCA corruption case
Hyderabad: Former cricketer and Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin on Tuesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case during his tenure as the former president of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
The central agency had summoned Azharuddin for questioning in the corruption case on Thursday, October 3, 2024. However, the Congress leader skipped the ED summons. The agency had issued fresh summons and asked him to appear before it on Tuesday.
While entering the ED office in Hyderabad, Azharuddin briefly spoke to media persons and said he was falsely accused of alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as the chief of HCA. He served as president of the HCA from 2019 to 2023 until the Supreme Court-appointed committee removed him from the post.
It is alleged the former cricketer misappropriated at least Rs. 20 crore funds during his tenure at the cricket association. The money laundering case pertains to misappropriation of funds during the purchase and procurement of diesel generators, firefighting systems and other material required for Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium located in Uppal area of Hyderabad.
Ahead of the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections, the Hyderabad police had booked Azharuddin, who was contesting the polls as a Congress candidate from Jubilee Hills constituency. The police had registered four cases against him in connection with the misappropriation of funds during his term at the HCA. Subsequently, the Congress leader was granted anticipatory bail by the Malkajgiri Court.
#Congress leader and ex-Hyderabad Cricket Association President #MohammadAzharuddin appeared before the #enforcementdirectorate for questioning in a corruption case today. Responding to the ED’s summons, he stated that false allegations have been made against him. #HCA #Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/iyTlHWhVNL
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) October 8, 2024
