Kashmir Court Dismisses ED's Application in JKCA Scam Case Against Farooq Abdullah
A court in Kashmir has dismissed an application by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking to add charges against National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and others in the Jammu & Kashmir cricket association (JKCA) scam case.
Court's Ruling on ED's Involvement
The court ruled that the ED cannot be made a party to a case that has already been investigated, filed, and prosecuted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This decision marks a significant development in the long-running legal proceedings surrounding the alleged financial irregularities in the cricket association.
Prima Facie Evidence Against Accused
Despite dismissing the ED's application, the court noted that there is prima facie evidence against the accused, including Dr Farooq Abdullah. The court observed that "the essential ingredients of offences under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 409 of the Ranbir Penal Code are made out" and that the accused will be charged accordingly.
Case Timeline and Next Steps
The court has listed the case for March 12, 2026, for the framing of charges. This sets the stage for the next phase of legal proceedings in what has become one of the most high-profile corruption cases in Jammu and Kashmir's recent history.
Background of the JKCA Scam Case
In 2018, the CBI chargesheeted Dr Farooq Abdullah and others for allegedly siphoning off Rs 43 crore from grants provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to the JKCA. The CBI alleged that the funds were misappropriated between 2002 and 2011, during which period Dr Abdullah served as the president of the cricket association.
Key Accused in the Case
In its chargesheet, the CBI named several individuals alongside Dr Farooq Abdullah:
- Mohammad Saleem Khan, then JKCA general secretary
- Ahsan Ahmad Mirza, former treasurer of JKCA
- Bashir Ahmad Misgar, J&K Bank executive
The case represents a significant legal challenge for the veteran politician, who has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The court's decision to proceed with charges while rejecting the ED's application adds a new dimension to the complex legal battle that has been unfolding for years.
