Ex Indian batter, Robin Uthappa faced an arrest warrant over a INR 23.36 Lakh Provident Fund fraud. Kerala police have visited his residence but he lives in Dubai now.
Case Details And Allegations
Former India cricketer and director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Private Limited has been issued an arrest warrant in a Provident Fund (PF) fraud case. Authorities alleged Uthappa’s company deducted PF contributions from employees’ salaries and failed to deposit the funds into their accounts.
According to the report, the firm owes INR 23.36 lakh in damages, prompting the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner to arrest him.This notice has highlighted that the company is non-compliance under sections 7A, 14B, and 7Q of the Employee’ Provident Funds(EPF) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The employees are unable to claim their dur benefits and escalating government recovery efforts.
Uthappa’s Residence In Dubai
Uthappa’s absence has tangled the case. Currently he is residing in Dubai from last 1 year. He has moved there with his family due to some personal reasons and due to his wife’s healthy. According to Reports he lives in a five-bedroom villa in Arabian Ranches, Dubai after securing a Golden Visa in early 2023.
Speaking to Gulf News in an interview last year, Robin Uthappa said, “We were quite familiar with Dubai as we had been visiting often over the years. We came here during the 2022 Christmas vacation too, and rang in the New Year. Shheethal had just delivered our daughter after a difficult pregnancy. She was still going through a bad patch, and we thought the trip would do her good.”
The Karnataka Police has visited his Bengaluru residence to issue a notice but nobody was there. His relocation has raised jurisdictional challenges and making the arrest process more complicated.
The Issued Notice
Following the accusation of cheating, the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Shadakshiri Gopala Reddy has issued a letter on December 4 2024. He has directed the Pulakeshi Nagar Police to arrest Robin Uthappa.
“This is to inform you that TK Krishna Das, who is director of M/S Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd (EST Code (PY/KRP/1524922), addressed at HAL Second Stage in Indiranagar, has failed to remit damages under sections 7A, 14B, and 7Q of the Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) and Miscellaneous Provisions (MP) Act, 1952 to the tune of ₹23,36,602, including ₹6,550 towards recovery,”the statement quoted by Hindustan Times.
“Due to non-remittance of dues, this office is unable to settle the Provident Fund accounts of the poor workers. Given the above, you are kindly requested to execute the enclosed warrant of arrest through the Thana in-charge under whose jurisdiction Uthappa resides,” the statement added.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
