The Karnataka High Court has put a stay on the arrest warrant issued for former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa in an alleged EPF fraud case. Before, an arrest warrant was issued against Uthappa on December 21 by the EPF Commissioner Shadakshari Gopal Reddy had directed the Pulakeshinagar police to take appropriate action into the matter.
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What Is The Whole Matter?
Robin Uthappa was alleged to to deducted the PF contribution from his employees’ salaries of a private firm named Centuries Lifestyle Brand Private Limited managed by him. Uthappa was accused of failing to deposit the amount and led to a fraud of INR 23 lakhs. In an order that he gave on December 4, EPF Commissioner Shadakshari Gopal Reddy gave instruction to the police to implement the arrest warrant, however, it was returned back as Robin Uthappa isn’t staying currently at the given address mentioned on the arrest warrant.
As the matter caught fire, Robin Uthappa addressed the whole issue and denied from his any role into the matter. In the post that he shared on his official social media clarified his association with two companies named and denied from his role in the executive operations of these companies. The former Indian cricketer also stated that he was appointed as the director of these three companies during the period of 2018-19, due to his financial contributions to those organisations which was in the form of loan. However, he added that his involvement into the management of these companies remained limited due to the engagement in his personal commitments.
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Robin Uthappa’s Instagram post read, “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 Lenceria Pvt. Ltd, Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt. Ud, and Berryz Fashion House. In 2018-19, I was appointed as a director in these companies due to my financial contributions to them in the form of loans.
“However, I did not have an active executive role, nor was l involved in the day-to-day operations of the businesses. Given my demanding schedule as a professional cricketer, TV presenter, and commentator, neither did I have the time nor expertise to participate in their operations. In fact, I do not play an executive role in any other companies I have lended, till date.”
Robin Uthappa played 59 international matches for the India national cricket team and is majorly known for his heroics in the Indian Premier League. The latter kept on in and out of the side, however, was a brilliant example of class and technique for the upcoming cricketers.
