Arrest warrant issued against former cricketer Robin Uthappa, know what is the charge?

Robin Uthappa: Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa, who was once known for his batting and being part of the 2007 T20 World Cup win, is now embroiled in a serious controversy. An arrest warrant has been issued against him based on a complaint by the PF Commissioner's Office in Bengaluru. The warrant was issued on December 4, in which he is accused of deducting Rs 23 lakh from the salaries of his employees but not depositing it in their Provident Fund (PF) account.

What is the whole matter?

Robin Uthappa is the director of Bengaluru-based clothing company "Century Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd". According to the PF Commissioner, his company had to deposit ₹ 23,36,602 in the PF accounts of its employees. However, this amount was deducted from the salaries of the employees but was not deposited in the respective accounts.

According to the Bengaluru Police, the warrant was sent to the address where Uthappa used to live earlier. However, he no longer lives at that address and is currently in Dubai. The police have informed the PF department about the matter and said it is outside their jurisdiction.

Uthappa gets time

According to reports, Uthappa has been given time till December 27 to deposit the entire amount in the PF accounts of the employees. If he fails to do so, he may face legal action and jail.

Current status

No formal FIR has been filed against Robin Uthappa at the moment. The matter is limited to the arrest warrant, which was issued by the PF Commissioner's Office. According to the Times of India, Uthappa's previous address is no longer in use, making it difficult for the police to serve him a notice.

Robin Uthappa's cricket career

Robin Uthappa made his ODI debut for the Indian cricket team in 2006 and T20 debut in 2007. He scored 934 runs in 46 ODIs, including 6 half-centuries. He scored 249 runs in T20 internationals. He was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup winning team.

Uthappa played a total of 205 matches in the IPL, scoring 4952 runs at an average of 27.51 and a strike rate of 130. He played for teams like Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.

Way forward

The resolution of this legal dispute will depend on Robin Uthappa depositing the dues on time. If he does so, the matter could possibly be over. However, if he defaults, the way could be clear for his arrest.

This incident once again shows how important off-field responsibilities are for players as well. For Uthappa, this controversy could affect his image after his playing career.