Non-Bailable Warrant Issued Against Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah
A local court in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a significant step in the long-running Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) financial irregularities case. On Thursday, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against former chief minister Farooq Abdullah. This legal action follows his failure to appear before the court, either in person or through virtual means, as required.
Court Rejects Exemption Pleas and Issues Warrants
The warrant was formally issued by Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar Tabassum. The court also rejected an application submitted by Abdullah seeking exemption from personal appearance. In a parallel development, the magistrate dismissed a similar exemption plea filed by another accused in the case, Manzoor Gazanfar Ali. Consequently, a non-bailable warrant was issued against Ali as well.
The court delivered a stern warning, stating, "In case any of the accused fails to appear before the court, appropriate orders shall follow." The matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on March 30, where further legal proceedings are expected to unfold.
Background of the JKCA Financial Scam Case
This development occurs just days after the court earlier this month dismissed an application from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED had sought to add charges against Abdullah and other individuals involved in the JKCA scam. The court ruled that the ED could not be made a party to a case that had already been thoroughly investigated and chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
However, the court made a critical observation, noting that prima facie evidence exists against the accused, including Farooq Abdullah. The court stated that the essential ingredients of offences under specific sections of the Ranbir Penal Code were made out. These sections include:
- Section 120B: Pertaining to criminal conspiracy.
- Section 406: Relating to criminal breach of trust.
- Section 409: Concerning criminal breach of trust by a public servant, or by banker, merchant, or agent.
The court had previously scheduled a hearing for the formal framing of charges in this high-profile case.
Allegations of Massive Fund Misappropriation
The core of the case revolves around alleged severe misappropriation of funds within the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. In 2018, the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a detailed chargesheet accusing Farooq Abdullah and several other individuals of siphoning off approximately Rs 43 crore.
These substantial funds were provided as grants by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to the state cricket association. According to the CBI's investigation, the alleged diversion of funds took place over a significant period, spanning from 2002 to 2011. Notably, this timeframe coincides with Farooq Abdullah's tenure as the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association.
The CBI chargesheet named several other key individuals alongside Abdullah. These accused parties include former JKCA general secretary Mohammad Saleem Khan, former treasurer Ahsan Ahmad Mirza, and Jammu and Kashmir Bank executive Bashir Ahmad Misgar. The case highlights a complex web of alleged financial misconduct within the sporting body, drawing continued legal and public scrutiny.
