Hyderabad Cricket Association President Arrested in IPL Ticketing Scandal

Major Arrest in Hyderabad Cricket

In a shocking turn of events, Jagan Mohan Rao, the President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), has been taken into custody due to a significant ticketing fraud linked to the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

The Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) apprehended Rao on Wednesday after uncovering serious irregularities in the ticket distribution for IPL matches held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

According to the CID, officials from the HCA, led by Rao, pressured the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) into issuing a larger number of complimentary tickets, which were then sold illegally on the black market. In a particularly alarming incident, authorities reportedly sealed a corporate box at the stadium just hours before a game, compelling SRH to hand over extra passes, thereby breaching a tri-party agreement involving the HCA, SRH, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Tensions Between SRH and HCA

Throughout the season, tensions had been escalating between the franchise and the HCA. SRH accused Rao of 'blackmail and intimidation' and filed a formal complaint with both the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council. Frustrated by ongoing interference, SRH even threatened to relocate its home games outside of Hyderabad if the situation did not improve.

In response to the growing controversy, the Telangana government initiated a vigilance inquiry, which ultimately led to an FIR against Rao and others involved.

Efforts to Resolve the Crisis

To address the escalating crisis, HCA Secretary R. Devraj organized a high-level meeting with SRH officials at the stadium. After several rounds of candid discussions with SRH CEO Mr. Shanmugam, both parties agreed to maintain the existing practice of distributing 3,900 free tickets per match.

Commitment to Collaboration

“HCA and SRH are committed to resolving differences amicably and enhancing the match-day experience for cricket fans at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium,” stated a release following the meeting.

While the immediate crisis may have been averted, the scandal has exposed significant issues within the governance of Hyderabad cricket and raised concerns about the control exercised by regional associations.