An arrest warrant has been issued for former India batsman Robin Uthappa in connection with the employee and government fraud case related to the Provident Fund (PF) case. Uthappa, a director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Private Limited, is accused of cheating employees and the government by deducting PF contributions from their salaries without depositing the funds into employees’ accounts.
The company is said to owe Rs 23.36 million in compensation, which the authorities are seeking to recover from Uthappa. District Provident Fund Commissioner Shadakshiri Gopala Reddy, who is accused of cheating, issued a letter on December 4, 2024, directing the Prakshi Nagar police to arrest Uthappa.
In this context, the police went to Robin Uthappa’s house to issue a notice. He does not currently reside at that address. Accordingly, a warrant for the arrest of Robin Uthappa has been executed.
“This is to inform you that TK Krishna Das, Director of M/S Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, EST Code (PY/KRP/1524922), HAL Second Stage in Indiranagar, has failed to mitigate damages under Section 7A 1952 23,36,602, including Rs 6,550 towards recovery,” the statement read.
“You are therefore requested to execute the attached arrest warrant for Robin Uthappa, Director of the above agency, through the Superintendent of the jurisdiction in which your employer is located,” the statement continued.
“Due to non-payment of dues, this office is unable to settle provident fund accounts for poor workers. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to execute the attached warrant through the Thane Officer in charge of Utapa,” the statement added.
Uthappa has represented India in 59 international matches and has been a popular figure in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.