Former India cricketer and 2007 T20 World Cup winner Robin Uthappa has been accused of failing to pay provident fund (PF) dues amounting to ₹23,36,602 to employees of his apparel brand, Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd. The company, based in Bengaluru’s Indiranagar, is under scrutiny following a formal complaint by Shadakshara Gopala Reddy, the regional PF commissioner of the KR Puram branch.
The commissioner has alleged that Uthappa, who serves as the director of the apparel brand, violated provisions of the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. A letter dated December 4 to the Pulakeshinagar Police sought an arrest warrant under Rule 73 of the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and Section 8B of the EPF Act, 1952. The commissioner requested Uthappa’s production before December 27.
However, police sources revealed that the notice has been returned to Reddy, as Uthappa no longer resides within the Pulakeshinagar police jurisdiction. Uthappa is currently based in Dubai, complicating further legal actions. “The recovery officer will now have to decide on the next steps,” a police official stated.
In a related case from October, a Mumbai sessions court temporarily stayed proceedings against Centaurus Lifestyle Brands in a 2019 cheque bounce case. The court noted that Uthappa did not appear to be involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.
This controversy adds to a growing list of legal troubles for the former cricketer-turned-commentator, raising questions about corporate governance and compliance at the brand. Further updates on the matter are awaited.
