Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president A Jahan Mohan Rao was arrested on the allegations of “misappropriating” funds. Rao was in collusion with the treasurer, CJ Srinivas, and CEO Sunil Kante as per official investigations.
The Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) alleged that Rao misappropriated nearly Rs 2.32 crore. The FIR mentioned that it took place on six counts, including “allotting” catering services and “buying” electrical material.
What were the allegations?
Based on a complaint filed on June 9 by the Telangana Cricket Association (TCA), Rao, along with other apex members of the HCA, spent Rs 1.03 crore on the purchase of cricket balls alone. TCA general secretary D Guruva Reddy alleged that the amount was misappropriated at the behest of spending for the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) domestic season 2024-25.
Misappropriated funds
“The number of balls purchased for this huge sum was just 1,340,” the FIR reads. In this purchase, Rao violated the tender procedure and did not maintain a stock register, the FIR reads.
It was alleged that Rs 11.85 lakh was spent on new air conditioners. Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023-24 and 2024-25, more than Rs 20 lakh was “allegedly swindled”. Rs 6.85 lakh was allegedly misappropriated for the purchase of electric material for IPL 2025.
Similarly, the FIR also alleges murky catering and apparel purchases of Rs 31.07 lakh and Rs 56.84 lakh, respectively, in the name of the BCCI domestic session.
Charges on HCA Mohan Rao and others
Jagan Mohan Rao, Srinivas Rao, and Sunil Kante were arrested on July 9. They were booked under the charges of 465 (punishment for forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent), 420 (cheating) read with 34 (common intention).
Rao and two others are accused of forgery in connection with the 2023 HCA elections. According to the CID, Rao allegedly forged a cricket club membership, one of the requirements to be a candidate, for the election. C Rajender Yadav and G Kavitha, two top officials of the Gowlipura Cricket Club, later renamed as Sri Chakra Cricket Club, were also arrested on July 9 in connection with the case.
Rao on IPL 2025
The Telangana CID also accused Rao and other office bearers of the HCA of wrongfully restraining IPL team, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)‘s officials. The complaint also cites “intimidation and blackmail over complimentary tickets and corporate box access,” according to a statement by ADGP CID Charu Sinha.
Earlier, the HCA faced criticism during the IPL after Sun Risers Hyderabad accused its president of demanding extra complimentary passes beyond the 3,900 allocated per match, and of locking the VIP box reserved for Lucknow Super Giants just hours before their game.