HCA officials fail to win stay of probe

HYDERABAD: The AP High Court on Tuesday directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to continue its investigation into financial irregularities allegedly committed by officials of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) in the construction of its Uppal stadium and asked the watchdog agency to submit a final report.Some HCA officials had petitioned the High Court to stay the investigation, contending that as they are not public servants, they are not liable for action under the Prevention of Corruption Act.Among the 15 officials who sued for a stay are HCA president Arshad Ayub, vicepresident N Shivlal Yadav and ex-secretary M V Sridhar.The court took the stance that the question of whether or not they fall under the purview of the anticorruption law would be judged during which the investigation would have to continue.The FIR leading to the case was lodged by Baburao Sagar, president of an HCAaffiliated cricket club, against almost the entire leadership of the association, including former India cricketers Arshad Ayub and Shivlal Yadav, D S Chalapathy (HCA secretary), P Yadagiri (treasurer), Dharamchand Jain (vice-president), Bhanuprasad and John Manoj (both executive committee members).The HCA then filed a petition seeking quashing of the FIR.Later, ACB registered a case of cheating and graft against these office-bearers and others and issued notices to the HCA asking it to hand over documents pertaining to the alleged fraud.The FIR alleged cheating, criminal breach of trust and violations under the Prevention of Corruption Act against 22 persons including seven private firms