HCA chief, treasurer, and CEO held for cheating and misappropriating funds

Hyderabad: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Telangana Police has arrested five individuals—including Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) President A Jagan Mohan Rao, Treasurer C J Srinivasa Rao, and CEO Sunil Kante—for alleged forgery, cheating, and misappropriation of funds.

Also arrested were Rajendra Yadav, general secretary of Sri Chakra Cricket Club, and G. Kavitha, president of Chakra Cricket Club.

The arrests followed a criminal case registered by CID on June 9 based on a complaint filed by Dharam Guruva Reddy, General Secretary of the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA).

The Additional DGP said in a statement, “Basing on the investigation and evidence gathered by CID officers, it is revealed that the accused A. Jagan Mohan Rao, in collusion with C. Rajender Yadav and his wife G. Kavitha, created forged documents of Sri Chakra Cricket Club, which was called Gowlipura Cricket Club by forging the signature of Sri. C. Krishna Yadav, the President of Gowlipura Cricket Club. These forged documents were used as genuine, enabling A. Jagan Mohan Rao to dishonestly gain entry into HCA as President.”

“Further, Jagan Mohan Rao colluding with accused persons, C.J. Srinivas Rao, Treasurer and Sunil Kante CEO of HCA and others with malafide intention, criminal breach of trust, misappropriated the public funds, wrongfully restraint IPL SRH officials including claims of intimidation, blackmail over complimentary tickets and access to corporate boxes and threatened with dire consequences,” she added.

During the 2025 IPL season, irregularities emerged around ticket allocations at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. SRH accused HCA office-bearers of coercion and threats regarding additional ticket requests for personal resale, prompting the team to consider relocating from Hyderabad.

In response to the controversy, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy ordered an inquiry by the state’s Vigilance Commission, which reportedly confirmed SRH’s allegations and recommended disciplinary action against the HCA officials.

Jagan Mohan Rao was elected HCA president in October 2023. He previously founded the Akshara Educational Society and two NGOs focused on education and employment. Rao has also served as the president and general secretary of the Handball Federation of India, chairman of the Premier Handball League, and president of the Telangana Handball Association.

(inputs from IANS)