Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 21 : An arrest warrant has been issued for former India cricketer Robin Uthappa in connection with an alleged Provident Fund (PF) fraud case involving defrauding employees and the government.
As the director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Private Limited, Uthappa is accused of deducting Provident Fund contributions from employee salaries but failing to deposit the funds into their accounts. The company allegedly owes Rs 23.36 lakh in damages, which authorities are seeking to recover.
The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Shadakshiri Gopala Reddy, issued a directive on December 4, 2024, instructing the Pulakeshi Nagar Police to arrest Uthappa. The police visited Uthappa’s registered address to serve the notice, but he was not found there, leading to the execution of the arrest warrant.
The official statement read: “This is to inform you that TK Krishna Das, director of M/S Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, has failed to remit damages under sections 7A, 14B, and 7Q of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, amounting to Rs 23,36,602, including Rs 6,550 towards recovery.”
The statement continued, “You are therefore requested to execute the enclosed warrant of arrest for Robin Uthappa, director of the establishment, through the police station in charge under whose jurisdiction the employer resides.”
Due to the non-remittance of dues, the Provident Fund accounts of employees cannot be settled. Uthappa, a former international cricketer who represented India in 59 matches, is also well-known for his successful career in the Indian Premier League (IPL).