Ticket Scandal Ends HCA Chief Jaganmohan Rao’s Power Play – Deccan Chronicle

Hyderabad:The tenure of Hyderabad Cricket Association president Jaganmohan Rao descended into controversy, culminating in his arrest by the CID and widespread condemnation for what has been described as one of the most egregious abuses of power in IPL history.
The scandal, which erupted during IPL 2025, exposed a pattern of aggressive and coercive tactics used by Jaganmohan Rao to secure additional IPL tickets for personal and unofficial use, ultimately leading to a government probe and public outrage.

The crisis began when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) found themselves compelled to go public after enduring relentless demands from Jaganmohan Rao for extra tickets. Though the IPL franchisee had already allocated 3,900 complimentary tickets per match to HCA, Jaganmohan Rao sought an additional 10 per cent of the total tickets for himself — nearly doubling HCA’s share.

However, SRH refused, citing the need for fairness and transparency for fans. Not satisfied, Jaganmohan Rao pressed for separate purchase links for at least 2,500 more tickets — a move SRH feared would facilitate black-market sales. Under mounting pressure, SRH reluctantly agreed to block 2,000 tickets, but only if payment was routed through the official HCA account — an accountability measure Jaganmohan Rao reportedly ignored.
Tensions escalated dramatically during the SRH vs. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) match on March 27, 2025, when Jaganmohan Rao ordered a VIP box locked until his ticket demands were met, disrupting access for high-profile guests, including LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka.

The SRH management, facing threats by Jaganmohan Rao that HCA cooperation would be withheld unless demands were fulfilled, warned they might relocate their home venue if the harassment persisted. The franchise emphasised that their relationship with HCA had only soured after Jaganmohan Rao assumed office in October 2023, contrasting with a decade of cordial ties before his tenure.

Operational challenges mounted as HCA officials commandeered over 40 per cent of car passes, crippling stadium logistics and further straining the franchise’s ability to host matches.
The controversy spilled into the public domain, sparking protests by youth leaders and fans who accused Jaganmohan Rao of depriving genuine supporters of access and tarnishing the reputation of both HCA and the IPL in Hyderabad. Demonstrations outside the stadium saw his effigies burnt, and calls for his resignation grew louder.
Internal HCA documents and whistleblower accounts painted a damning picture of Jaganmohan Rao’s administration: bypassing the apex council in decision-making, awarding contracts without tenders, and withholding transparency on payments and ticket distribution.

Former HCA president Mohd. Azharuddin and joint secretary T. Basava Raju were among those who publicly criticised these practices. Basava Raju, who sent over 90 emails to the apex council highlighting repeated guideline violations, lamented the association’s decline and called for a complete overhaul to restore integrity.

Reacting to the arrest of Jaganmohan Rao, Shesh Narayan, former secretary of HCA, said that it was “waiting to happen like a ticking bomb” and that these people had violated even the Supreme Court’s orders in implementing the HCA constitution. “Karma has caught up with them for their deeds, as Lord Krishna has ordained in the great epic Mahabharat. No one can escape Karma,” he said.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle, HCA’s former president Mohd. Azharuddin demanded a thorough probe into the IPL ticket sales scam and said that the current HCA body had completely failed in its duty and must be disbanded. “It is time to clean up the system and restore the integrity of Hyderabad cricket,” he said.
A government-ordered vigilance probe corroborated the charges, confirming that Jaganmohan Rao used his position for personal gain through harassment and blackmail. The commission’s recommendation for action against HCA office bearers marked a decisive step toward accountability, closing a chapter widely recognised as a low point in the city’s cricketing history.

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