The former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa is currently making headlines but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons as he has been accused of failing to pay provident fund (PF) dues for employees at his apparel brand.
Shadakshara Gopala Reddy, the regional PF commissioner of the KR Puram branch in Bengaluru, has requested the police to issue an arrest warrant against Uthappa. The commissioner alleges that Uthappa owes Rs 23,36,602 in PF dues to the employees of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, where Robin Uthappa is a director.
The apparel company, located in Bengaluru’s Indiranagar area, is accused of violating several sections of the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The complaint demands Robin Uthappa’s arrest under Rule 73 of the 2nd Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1961, and Section 8B of the EPF Act. The letter, dated December 4, asks for Robin Uthappa to be produced before the regional PF commissioner by December 27.
However, the Pulakeshinagar police have returned the notice to Reddy, stating that Uthappa no longer lives within their jurisdiction. According to police sources, Robin Uthappa now resides in Dubai, leaving further action to the recovery officer’s discretion.
This is not the first legal issue surrounding the former cricketer’s apparel brand. In October also, a Mumbai sessions court temporarily stayed proceedings in a 2019 cheque bounce case involving the same company. The court observed that Robin Uthappa did not appear to be involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.
Robin Uthappa, a key player in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad, has since retired from cricket and works as a commentator. The accusations and legal proceedings have brought unwanted attention to his post-cricket business ventures.
