HCA scandal deepens: Former member alleges proxy voting scam
Hyderabad: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Telangana is probing fresh allegations of proxy voting and conflict of interest involving top office-bearers of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). The latest complaint, filed by Chitti Sridhar, a former HCA executive member and secretary of the Acrylic Cricket Club, accuses interim president Sardar Daljeet Singh, joint secretary T. Basva Raju, and apex council member Sunil Agarwal of violating HCA’s constitution and Supreme Court directives.
The latest complaint adds to the growing controversies surrounding HCA, which has been under judicial and investigative scrutiny for financial irregularities and governance violations.
Sridhar’s complaint alleges that Daljeet Singh, currently serving as HCA’s interim president, is the owner of two cricket clubs, Khalsa Cricket Club and Ameerpet Cricket Club, despite HCA rules prohibiting proxy voting and multiple club ownership. Documents submitted to the CID include fee receipts from 2018, where Daljeet Singh personally signed and paid renewal fees for both clubs via cheques from a private bank.
The complaint highlights that during the 2023 HCA elections, Basva Raju was brought in as joint secretary from Ameerpet Cricket Club while concealing Daljeet Singh’s ownership. This, Sridhar claims, violates the Supreme Court’s order, which mandates transparency in cricket administration.
Conflict of interest and past scrutiny
In October 2023, a Single Member Committee led by Justice L. Nageshwar Rao had identified 57 clubs with conflicts of interest and barred them from voting in HCA elections. However, Sridhar questions why Daljeet Singh’s clubs escaped scrutiny despite clear evidence of multiple ownership.
Additionally, the complaint points out that Basva Raju, who worked in the commercial tax department until 2023, became vice-president of Ameerpet Cricket Club immediately after retirement and contested HCA elections, allegedly flouting rules. Meanwhile, Sunil Agarwal, an apex council member, faces accusations of conflict of interest as his son, Kush Agarwal, plays for the Hyderabad team while he holds an administrative position.
The CID is already investigating a separate case involving forgery, cheating, and misappropriation of funds by HCA office bearers. Six accused have been arrested so far, including former HCA secretary Devaraj Ramchander.
Sridhar has demanded that a thorough investigation be conducted to expose the fraud.
