Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has broken his silence after an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection with an alleged fraud involving Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deposits.
The warrant, issued by Shadakshara Gopala Reddy, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner II and Recovery Officer at KR Puram, accuses Uthappa of failing to remit PF dues, preventing the settlement of accounts for affected workers.
The arrest warrant, dated December 21, 2024, directs law enforcement to apprehend Uthappa and present him before authorities by December 27. According to the regional provident fund commissioner, the failure to remit dues has left the accounts of several employees unsettled. The police have been instructed to execute the warrant in accordance with the Income Tax Act of 1961 and the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
In response to the legal developments, Uthappa took to social media to clarify his involvement in the matter.
Addressing the allegations, Uthappa emphasized that he had no active executive role in the companies associated with the alleged fraud, namely Strawberry Lencería Pvt. Ltd., Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt. Ltd., and Berryz Fashion House.
"In 2018-19, I was appointed as a director in these companies due to my financial contributions in the form of loans. However, I did not have an active executive role, nor was I involved in their day-to-day operations," Uthappa stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He further explained that his demanding schedule as a professional cricketer, TV presenter, and commentator made it impossible for him to participate in the businesses' operations. "I do not play an executive role in any other companies I have funded, to date," he added.
Uthappa also clarified that the companies in question had failed to repay the loans he had extended to them, leading him to initiate legal proceedings, which are still ongoing.
He emphasised that he had resigned from his directorships several years ago and that his legal team had responded to the Provident Fund authorities, providing documentation confirming his lack of involvement in the companies’ operations.
The former cricketer’s statement also highlighted his efforts to resolve the matter amicably, stating that when the Provident Fund authorities issued notices for the outstanding dues, his legal team provided the necessary documentation. Despite this, the authorities proceeded with the case, leading to the arrest warrant.
Uthappa, who moved to Dubai with his family, made his mark in Indian cricket, representing the country in 59 matches across all formats. He was part of India’s victorious 2007 ICC T20 World Cup squad and played for several Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Mumbai Indians (MI).
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