"Resigned from my directorships several years ago" - Robin Uthappa issues clarification over PF fraud allegations

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa is in the middle of a fresh controversy after an arrest warrant was issued against him in Bengaluru for PF fraud. Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, a firm where he was the director, allegedly failed to deposit INR 23 lakh into the PF accounts of employees after the amount was deducted from their salaries earlier.

However, after the news of an arrest warrant being issued against Uthappa, the cricketer issued a clarification on social media.

The 39-year-old, in his post, said that he was appointed the director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, and two other companies (Strawberry Lenceria Pvt. Ltd and Berryz Fashion House) in 2018-19 only because of his financial contributions in the form of loans.

"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 Lencería Pvt. Ltd., Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt. Ltd., 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," his statement read.

Uthappa also made it clear that he did not have any active role as an executive in these companies and was not involved in their day-to-day operations either. The right-handed batter added that given his busy schedule playing in various leagues apart from working as a TV presenter and commentator, he did not have the time to look into the operations and did not play any executive role but just funded the companies.

While he expressed regret that the companies failed to pay the funds, Robin Uthappa wrote that he initiated legal proceedings. He also added that he had resigned from his director role several years ago, clearing the air about his involvement with these companies.

"Regrettably, these companies failed to repay the funds I lent them, leading me to initiate legal proceedings, which are currently sub judice. I also resigned from my directorships several years ago," the statement further read.

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Robin Uthappa's legal team to take necessary steps to resolve the matter

Further in his statement, Robin Uthappa wrote that the Provident Fund authorities issued notices demanding the payment of the dues. He added that while his legal team had responded to the notices by highlighting that the cricketer had no role in these companies and provided documentation to confirm the same, the authorities have continued with the proceedings.

Therefore, he added that his legal team will take the necessary steps to put an end to this matter.

"When the Provident Fund authorities issued notices demanding payment of dues, my legal team responded, highlighting that I had no role in these companies and provided documentation from the companies themselves confirming my lack of involvement. Despite this, the Provident Fund authorities have continued with proceedings, and my legal advisors will take the necessary steps to resolve this matter in the coming days," he wrote.