Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president Jagan Mohan Rao, was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday, July 9, over serious irregularities, including allegedly pressuring Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for tickets and other governance-related issues within the HCA.
Earlier this year, during IPL 2025, the HCA was embroiled in controversy as the SRH franchise accused it of harassment regarding complimentary tickets for IPL matches. The row escalated to the point where the management threatened to find an alternate venue, prompting the Telangana government to launch a probe.
SRH’s allegations against Rao, HCA
Controversy arose after the SRH’s general manager (Sports) Srinath TB, reportedly accused HCA officials of harassment, particularly president Jagan Mohan Rao. He stated that they have been collaborating with the HCA for twelve years but have encountered increasing difficulties over the past two seasons.
According to the agreement, SRH allocates 10 percent (3,900) of complimentary tickets to the HCA, which includes access to a corporate box with a capacity of 50 seats.
However, this year, the HCA claimed that the box could only accommodate 30 people and demanded an additional 20 tickets from another box, which SRH found unreasonable. The HCA official also allegedly locked up their corporate box during an SRH match, demanding more tickets.
He described this as an act of “blackmail”, emphasising that such behaviour complicates coordination and collaboration between the two entities. He alleged that over the last two years, SRH faced multiple issues, particularly from the HCA president.
However, the HCA had then denied the allegations.
Vigilance report findings in SRH tickets row
The vigilance report found that Rao and other members of the HCA had been pressuring SRH for additional tickets, beyond the agreed 10 percent, including tickets for personal sale. Additionally, the HCA also allegedly locked a corporate box to drive SRH into giving them more tickets.
They have been accused of black-marketing tickets and lapses in governance.
An FIR was filed based on these findings against the president and other members, and Rao was subsequently arrested.
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