Telangana Cricket Association accuses KTR, Kavitha of secretly influencing HCA operations
Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) has filed a formal complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), seeking action against several prominent figures, including K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), K. Kavitha, and other key members of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). The complaint accuses them of being involved in a decade-long series of corrupt practices and financial mismanagement.
The letter, addressed to the CID and ED, urges a deeper investigation into the activities of A. Jagan Mohan Rao, K. Kavitha, K.T. Rama Rao, and former HCA director Vanka Pratap, alleging that they were instrumental in a pattern of corruption within the HCA. The TCA has submitted two forensic audit reports, one from 2017 by the Justice Anil Dave Committee and another from 2023 by the Justice L. Nageshwar Rao Committee, along with additional evidence on a pen drive to support their claims.
The TCA's complaint highlights multiple issues within the HCA, including the mismanagement of funds allocated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for cricket development. It accuses the HCA of corruption in team selections, where cricketers' parents were allegedly exploited for financial gain in exchange for spots on the team. The letter also alleges widespread forgery to facilitate unauthorized entries into the HCA, blackmail for additional favors, and black marketing of IPL tickets. Additionally, the TCA points to instances where HCA officials ignored court orders, including those from the High Court and Supreme Court, and made unauthorized withdrawals from the HCA’s bank accounts.
The complaint also expresses concern about the lack of any tangible development in cricket infrastructure in Hyderabad, despite the HCA receiving over Rs. 500-600 crore in grants from the BCCI over the past decade. According to the TCA, there is no significant evidence of infrastructure improvements or asset acquisitions by the HCA, while the personal wealth of several office bearers has grown substantially, suggesting misappropriation of funds.
The TCA claims that KTR and Kavitha have been influencing the operations of the HCA behind the scenes since the formation of Telangana. The letter further accuses KTR’s brother-in-law, Raj Pakala, of receiving contracts for IPL ticket sales through his companies, EventsNow.com and MeraEvent.com. It also mentions that other business ventures linked to Kavitha, KTR, and their relatives were awarded various HCA-related contracts, including for catering and travel during IPL matches.
The letter also highlights the involvement of Vanka Pratap, a suspended member of the HCA, who is accused of fostering corruption within the association. The report submitted by former Chief Justice N.A. Kakru accuses Pratap of promoting unfair practices in team selections and fostering a culture of corruption. Despite his suspension, Pratap is reportedly still involved in HCA activities, which the TCA claims is a serious cause for concern.
The complaint concludes with a request for further investigation into the period between 2019 and 2022, when several HCA office bearers, including former president Md. Azharuddin, were implicated in financial irregularities and corruption. The TCA asserts that the overall environment at the HCA has been conducive to fraudulent activities, a situation that has been highlighted in the forensic audit reports and in FIRs registered by the Uppal Police.
In their submission, the TCA urges the CID and ED to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and take the necessary legal action to restore fairness and transparency within the HCA and the broader cricket administration in Telangana.