Arrest Warrant Issued for Ex-Cricketer Robin Uthappa in Provident Fund Case
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Bengaluru, Dec 21 (NationPress) The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), which operates under the Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Government of India, has sent a letter to the Bengaluru police requesting help in executing an arrest warrant for former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, as confirmed by sources on Saturday.
The Regional PF Commissioner-II and Recovery Officer, RO K.R. Puram Shadakshara Gopala Reddy, has made this formal request to the Inspector at Pulikeshi Nagar police station in Bengaluru.
Commissioner Reddy noted that Robin Uthappa serves as the Director of M/s Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, a company situated in Indiranagar, Bengaluru.
The company is reportedly in default, having failed to pay damages amounting to Rs 23.36 lakh under Section 7A, 14B, and 7Q of the EPF and MP Act, 1952.
In his communication, Reddy requested the police, saying, “You are therefore, kindly requested to execute the enclosed arrest warrant for Robin Uthappa.”
He further explained that the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is a social welfare law designed to support the underprivileged who earn low wages and rely on provident fund contributions for their retirement and other needs.
“The inability to collect these dues prevents our office from settling the Provident Fund accounts for these vulnerable workers. Therefore, I kindly ask you to execute the enclosed warrant of arrest through the inspector responsible for Robin Uthappa's jurisdiction,” he added.
“Additionally, I request the arrest of the employer under Rule 73 of II Schedule to Income Tax Act 1961 and Income Tax (CP) Rule 1962 and 8B of Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Act, 1952, and to present him before me on or before December 27 for further proceedings,” the notice stated.
Sources from the police indicated that Robin Uthappa was not present at his home when they attempted to carry out the arrest warrant.
