EPF Fraud: Arrest warrant issued against former India cricketer Robin Uthappa for ₹24 lakh EPFO due

An arrest warrant has been issued against former India cricketer Robin Uthappa in connection with an alleged fraud involving Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deposits after he failed to pay ₹24 lakh as dues.

The warrant was issued by Regional Provident Fund Commissioner - II and Recovery Officer Shadakshara Gopal Reddy at KR Puram in Bengaluru. According to the order, the warrant will lapse if Uthappa pays the dues.

Reddy's order said that ₹23.36 lakh is to be recovered from Uthappa, who has been identified as the director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd. The officer directed the jurisdictional Pulakeshinagar police to return the warrant by December 27.

Uthappa is accused of deducting provident fund contributions from the salaries of employees but failing to deposit these amounts in their respective accounts, which is a serious case of breach of trust under Section 405 of the Indian Penal Code.