ED steps in HCA forgery case, to seek FIR against office bearers
Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested five people in a forgery and cheating case related to the HCA. The arrest comes after a series of complaints against the HCA president, A Jagan Mohan Rao, that he managed his election by forging documents.
By Coreena Suares
Hyderabad: A day after the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president and four other office bearers were arrested by Telangana CID, sleuths of the Enforcement Directorate, Hyderabad zone, are likely to probe the alleged money laundering.
On July 9, the Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested five people in a forgery and cheating case related to the HCA. The arrest comes after a series of complaints against the HCA president, A Jagan Mohan Rao, that he managed his election by forging documents.
What are the forgery claims about?
According to the allegations, Jagan Mohan Rao, along with C Rajender Yadav and his wife G Kavithaā members of a disqualified cricket clubācreated fake documents for Sri Chakra Cricket Club by forging the signature of C Krishna Yadav, who heads Gowliupura Cricket Club.
These fake documents were used to show Sri Chakra as Gowliupura Club, allowing Jagan Mohan Rao to get elected as HCA president. Jagan Mohan Rao also allegedly colluded with treasurer CJ Srinivasa Rao and CEO Sunil Kante in misusing public funds and intimidating IPL SRH officials.
They are accused of blackmailing officials over complimentary tickets and corporate box access, even threatening them with dire consequences. The case was booked based on a complaint by Dharam Guruva Reddy, general secretary of the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA).
Those arrested include A Jagan Mohan Rao, president of HCA; JS Srinivasa Rao, treasurer; Sunil Kante, CEO; Rajender Yadav, general secretary of Sri Chakra Cricket Club; and G Kavitha, president, Sri Chakra Cricket Club.
HCAās history of irregularities
Speaking to NewsMeter, a top source confirmed that ED will be seeking FIRs in this particular case.
Regarding HCA, there are three sets of FIRs: one case has been booked against former Indian captain and former president of HCA Mohammad Azharuddin, the second case, currently under investigation by ED, is against Congress MLA Gaddam Vinod and a contractor identified as Surendra.
Subsequently, the ED carried out searches and has attached a few properties. āRegarding the forgery case booked against Jagan Mohan Rao and other HCA office bearers, we will be seeking an FIR,ā the source said.
What led to the arrest of the Hyderabad Cricket Association office bearers
Here is a timeline of how the HCA president and others were arrested:
1) Fresh cause of action began when Telangana Cricket Association submitted a detailed complaint to the chief minister, the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the chief secretary, including the Central Bureau of Investigation, in July 2024.
2) The CMO and chief secretary referred the case to the Vigilante and Enforcement Wing, who investigated the operational irregularities and financial frauds, corruption in selections, etc. and submitted a detailed report to the State government.
3) Meanwhile, more fresh causes of action and complaints were received by the CMO. They were about an alleged scam in IPL 2025 match tickets and blackmailing allegations. In a complaint, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) alleged that Jagan Mohan Rao demanded 10 per cent more complimentary passes.
4) The case was also referred to V&E, who are already investigating the complaint submitted to the government by TCA secretary Guruva Reddy.
5) After a thorough investigation, the V&E submitted its report, which led to CID being instructed by CMO/CS to jump into action.
6) The CID received a complaint on June 9 from TCA, with additional information submitted for further action by CID.
7) After one month of secret due diligence by the CID, the arrests were made.
