Criminal fraud and theft charges against former Cricket Canada CEO Salman Khan have been withdrawn, bringing an end to the prosecution that followed allegations involving CAN$200,000 (approx. US$142K) at the Calgary and District Cricket League.
According to a report by CBC News, prosecutor Petter Hurich withdrew the charges in a Calgary courtroom on Monday, when Khan’s trial had been scheduled to begin. Khan, 47, had faced one count each of fraud over CAN$5,000 (approx. US$3.55K) and theft over CAN$5,000 stemming from alleged activity between 2014 and 2016.
Crown says evidence was insufficient for trial
Khan, whose full name is Salman Khan Shahzad, was charged in March 2025 after a Calgary police investigation into financial activity at the Calgary and District Cricket League. Former league Treasurer Syed Wajahat Ali was accused of the same offences and said his charges had been withdrawn earlier this year.
The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement provided to CBC News: “In this file, the Crown prosecutor determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed to trial.”
The decision came after prosecutors reviewed the evidence ahead of the scheduled proceedings. With the charges withdrawn, Khan did not face the trial that had been due to start Monday.
Khan’s lawyer responds to withdrawn charges
Khan had denied the allegations after the charges were announced in 2025. His Defence Lawyer Jim Lutz said his client was greatly relieved following the Crown’s decision.
Lutz said: “We came to this conclusion after almost a year’s worth of work on this file, critically evaluating the evidence. My client is extremely grateful the Crown took the time to thoroughly review this file.”
The original police investigation followed concerns identified during a 2017 audit of the Calgary and District Cricket League’s financial records. Investigators alleged that Khan and Ali had misappropriated funds through cheque payments made to construction businesses and contractors connected to them.
Police alleged that the payments related to repairs and upgrades at the league’s clubhouse and grounds for work that was either not completed or was carried out poorly using inferior products. Those allegations formed the background to the charges that have now been withdrawn.
Charges followed Khan into Cricket Canada tenure
The criminal case became a significant issue during Khan’s time leading Cricket Canada. He was appointed CEO in January 2025, shortly before Calgary police announced the charges in March.
As reported previously by cricexec in October 2025, Cricket Canada placed Khan on a paid, non-disciplinary suspension while an independent special committee conducted a governance review. The organization said at the time that the measure was intended to preserve organizational integrity and procedural fairness.
As previously reported by cricexec in December 2025, Cricket Canada subsequently terminated Khan following its internal investigation. The organization said the decision involved his failure to disclose prior criminal charges as well as alleged violations of its bylaws.
The Cricket Canada Board said in a statement posted to the organization’s website: “The dismissal stems from Mr. Khan’s failure to disclose prior criminal charges — an act that constituted a serious breach of trust — along with violations of organizational bylaws related to his contract.”
Contract dispute remains separate issue
Khan’s Cricket Canada contract reportedly contained a provision entitling him to payment for the remainder of his term if he was dismissed for a reason other than a criminal conviction connected to his CEO position.
He is reportedly seeking CAN$475,000 (approx. US$337.25K) from Cricket Canada for the remainder of that contract. The withdrawal of the Calgary charges resolves the criminal prosecution described by CBC News, while the reported contractual dispute with Cricket Canada remains a separate matter.
