The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly interrogated former India captain and Congress politician Mohammad Azharuddin for over nine hours on Tuesday, October 8, in relation to a money laundering case involving alleged financial irregularities in the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
The ED had summoned the former cricketer to appear on October 3, but Azharuddin requested more time, leading to a new summons for October 8.
According to a PTI report, the agency recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The 61-year-old arrived at the ED office around 11 am and left after 9 pm.
“All the allegations which have been made were baseless, frivolous and done with a malafide intention. Beyond that I have nothing more to say. I don’t want to go into the details…,” the agency quoted the former India skipper as telling reporters.
The ED carried out searches related to the case in November of last year. Azharuddin’s involvement in alleged financial irregularities during his presidency of the Hyderabad Cricket Association is also being investigated.
Earlier reports indicated that the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed three FIRs and charge sheets in connection with the money laundering case, which involves the alleged misappropriation of ₹20 crore from the HCA. The ED has also conducted raids on former vice president Shivlal Yadav and former HCA secretary Arshad Ayub, among others.
Mohammad Azharuddin is ranked 8th among Indian batters for the most runs scored
A prolific batter during his career, Azharuddin played 99 Test matches and 334 ODIs from 1985 to 2000, amassing 6,215 and 9,378 runs, respectively. He recorded 22 centuries in Tests and seven in ODIs.
With a total of 15,593 runs from 433 matches, he ranks eighth among Indian batters in international cricket. As captain, he led India in 221 matches across Tests and ODIs, winning 104 and losing 90. Renowned for his stylish wristwork, Azharuddin is the only player to score centuries in his first three Test matches.
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