Former Indian cricket player Robin Uthappa is the subject of an arrest warrant in connection with a claim of Provident Fund (PF) fraud. It is alleged that Uthappa, who works for Centaurus Lifestyle Brands, withheld PF contributions from employee pay cheques without transferring the money to the appropriate accounts. Shadakshari Gopal Reddy, the PF Regional Commissioner in Bengaluru, issued the warrant.
Summary:
News reports claiming that an arrest warrant had been issued against former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa in connection with a purported Provident Fund (PF) fraud case made headlines on Saturday. In several domestic and international cricket matches, Uthappa played for India. Since making his ODI debut in 2006, he has participated in all game formats.
When the Karnataka Police went to serve Uthappa with a notice at his listed residence in Bengaluru, they couldn’t find the cricket player there. He has reportedly now moved, which is why an arrest warrant has been issued for him. He has till December 27 to settle the almost ₹24 lakh in arrears or risk being arrested.
Shadakshara Gopala Reddy, Regional PF Commissioner II & Recovery Officer, gave the East Bengaluru police station in Pulakeshinagar instructions to carry out the December 4 arrest warrant against Uthappa.
Uthappa is the director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, a company situated in Bengaluru. In the arrest warrant issued on December 4, Regional PF Commissioner Sadakshari Gopal Reddy stated that the corporation had not paid the damages of around ₹23,36,602 that were due from the former Team India player.
Uthappa is a well-liked player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has participated in 59 international games for India. In his time playing international cricket, he has amassed 1,183 runs and seven half-centuries.
What’s the Case Against Robin Uthappa?
As the director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Private Limited, Robin Uthappa is charged with cheating the government and employees. The case’s salient details are as follows:
Non-Remittance of Provident Fund (PF) payments:
Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Private Limited, Uthappa’s business, is charged with taking PF payments out of workers’ pay cheques and neglecting to deposit the money into their PF accounts.
Damages Sought:
Due to the non-payment of PF dues, the corporation is alleged to owe ₹23.36 lakh in damages, including ₹6,550 for collection.
Legal Action:
In a letter dated December 4, 2024, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner Shadakshiri Gopala Reddy directed Pulakeshi Nagar Police to detain Uthappa for nonpayment of the funds due to employees’ provident funds and miscellaneous provisions Act, 1952, sections 7A, 14B, and 7Q.
Details Of The Arrest Warrant
This is to notify you that T.K. Krishna Das, the director of M/S Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, which is situated in Indiranagar’s HAL Second Stage, has neglected to pay damages in accordance with Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) and Miscellaneous Provisions (MP) Act, 1952, sections 7A, 14B, and 7Q. According to the notification, the total sum owed is Rs 23,36,602, which includes Rs 6,550 for recovery.
“You are kindly requested to execute the enclosed warrant of arrest for Robin Uthappa, director of the establishment, through the station in charge under whose jurisdiction the employer resides.”
The significance of the MP Act and EPF as social welfare laws intended to safeguard low-wage workers is emphasised in the letter.
This office is unable to settle the PF accounts of low-income employees since dues have not been sent. Given the foregoing, we respectfully ask that you execute the enclosed arrest order via the station in charge, whose authority Uthappa resides under.
The letter further requests Uthappa’s arrest and his production before the undersigned by December 27 at the latest for further proceedings, citing Section 8B of the EPF and MP Act and Rule 73 of the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
What Rabin Uthappa Said?
According to Robin Uthappa’s account, he was not actively involved in the day-to-day management of Strawberry Lencería Pvt. Ltd., Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt. Ltd., or Berryz Fashion House, nor did he hold an executive position.
“In light of recent news of the PF case against me, I would like to provide some clarification with regards to my involvement with Strawberry Lencería Pvt. Ltd., Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt. Ltd., and Berryz Fashion House,” he said in a statement.
“I was appointed as a director in these firms in 2018–19 as a result of my loan contributions to them. But I wasn’t actively involved in the day-to-day management of the companies, nor did I hold an executive position,” he continued.
He added in his statement, “I didn’t have the time or expertise to be involved in their operations because of my hectic schedule as a professional cricket player, TV presenter, and commentator. In actuality, I have never held an executive position in any of the other businesses I have invested in.
Unfortunately, these businesses didn’t pay back the money I lent them, so I started legal action, which is still pending. A few years ago, I also resigned from my directorships. He said, “My legal team responded to the Provident Fund authorities’ notices requesting payment of dues by emphasising that I had no role in these companies and providing documentation from the companies themselves confirming my lack of involvement.”
