Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa may be arrested in connection with an alleged Provident Fund (PF) fraud case. Uthappa, who is the director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Private Limited, is accused of deducting PF contributions from employees’ salaries but failing to deposit the funds into their accounts. The cricketer has allegedly defrauded both the employees and the government.

Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Private Limited is an apparel brand based in Bengaluru. The company allegedly owes Rs 23.36 lakh in damages, which authorities are now trying to recover from Uthappa.

Accused of cheating, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner Shadakshiri Gopala Reddy issued a letter on December 4, 2024, directing the Pulikeshi Nagar Police, Bengaluru to arrest Uthappa.

The police visited Robin Uthappa’s residence to serve a notice, but he was not living at the address. As a result, an arrest warrant has been issued for him. Uthappa now lives in Dubai, as per media reports.

Also read: EPFO: Govt to revise pension for EPS pensioners? Here’s what Centre has to say on revised pension plans

A week ago, the local police received a letter from the PF office requesting the execution of the arrest warrant. Uthappa used to live in an apartment on Wheeler Road in Pulakeshi Nagar. However, when the police visited the address, they discovered he had vacated the property a year ago. The PF office has been informed about this, the local police said.

Reddy’s letter stated that due to the non-payment of dues, the EPFO is unable to settle the Provident Fund accounts of the affected workers.

Here’s what warrant states

“This is to inform you that TK Krishna Das, who is director of M/S Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd (EST Code (PY/KRP/1524922), addressed at HAL Second Stage in Indiranagar, has failed to remit damages under sections 7A, 14B, and 7Q of the Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) and Miscellaneous Provisions (MP) Act, 1952 to the tune of Rs 23,36,602, including Rs 6,550 towards recovery,” the statement read.

“You are, therefore, kindly requested to execute the enclosed warrant of arrest for Robin Uthappa, director of the above establishment, through the Thana in charge under whose jurisdiction the employer resides,” the warrant reads.

Uthappa played 46 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 13 T20 matches for India, scoring around 1,200 runs in total. He also played 205 IPL matches for different franchisees and scored nearly 5,000 runs.