TCA seeks clarity on CID probe, SIT into HCA allegations

The Telangana Cricket Association has sought clarification from the State DGP on investigations into alleged financial irregularities in the HCA. TCA General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy questioned the status of the CID probe and High Court-directed SIT

Hyderabad: The Telangana Cricket Association (TCA) has sought an immediate clarification from the Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) on the status of investigations into alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), particularly those relating to the recently conducted TG20 event.

TCA General Secretary Dharam Guruva Reddy said the CID had submitted a brief status report before the State Lokayukta, raising questions about the extent to which the Court-appointed Single Member Committee (SMC) is exercising its powers in matters concerning criminal investigations.

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The TCA said the CID status report was submitted in response to the Lokayukta proceedings, for which a detailed report was sought by September 29.

According to the TCA’s reading of the report, the CID indicated that it had not been able to proceed with certain aspects of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the HCA, including matters connected with the TG20 event, because of the position taken by the SMC.

“Here is the documentary evidence. We are not making a claim based merely on hearsay. The CID’s communication to the Lokayukta raises a fundamental question: can a Court-appointed administrative mechanism prevent or delay a statutory investigating agency from discharging its lawful duties?” Guruva Reddy asked.

Guruva Reddy, however, stressed that the TCA was seeking clarification from the competent authorities rather than prejudging the outcome of any investigation.

“If there is a legal or judicial basis under which the SMC is entitled to withhold permission, consent or clearance for a CID or ACB investigation, the DGP and the concerned authorities should place that position on record. If there is no such legal impediment, then the investigating agencies must be allowed to perform their statutory functions independently,” he said.

The TCA also questioned the status of directions concerning investigations into allegations pending against the HCA. Guruva Reddy pointed out that the High Court had directed the State DGP to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine allegations concerning the HCA.

“The question is simple: if such a direction has been issued, why has the SIT not been constituted? What is the present status of that direction? Has it been implemented, and if not, what is preventing its implementation?” he asked.

Guruva Reddy said the TCA’s objective was not to interfere with the functioning of either the judiciary or investigating agencies, but to ensure transparency, institutional accountability and public confidence in the administration of cricket in Telangana.