Charges Filed Against Farooq Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association Case
Court Orders Charges in Cricket Association Case
A court in Srinagar has recently mandated the initiation of charges against Farooq Abdullah, the president of the National Conference and former Chief Minister, along with others involved in a financial misconduct case linked to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, amounting to Rs 112 crore.
On February 2, Chief Judicial Magistrate Tabasum scheduled the formal charge framing for March 12, indicating that the accused will now undergo trial.
The court noted that preliminary assessments suggest that the elements of criminal conspiracy and breach of trust are present against the individuals named in the case.
Furthermore, the court's ruling stated that once the charges are established, testimonies from two accused individuals who have agreed to cooperate will be documented as evidence.
Abdullah and the others will face allegations related to criminal conspiracy and breaches of trust, including those committed by public officials.
However, the court dismissed a request from the Enforcement Directorate to incorporate additional charges, asserting that the agency lacks the authority to intervene in a case already under investigation and prosecution by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The judge emphasized that the Enforcement Directorate's role is primarily to investigate money laundering offenses as outlined in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
According to the ruling, the agency cannot presume that a predicate offense has occurred based solely on its findings; such offenses must be investigated and prosecuted by the legally designated authorities.
Background of the Case
The case revolves around alleged financial irregularities involving a grant of Rs 112 crore from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association.
Farooq Abdullah served as the president of the cricket association from 2001 to 2011.
The controversy surfaced in March 2012 when the association's treasurer, Manzoor Wazir, lodged a complaint against the then-general secretary, Mohammad Saleem Khan, and former treasurer, Ahsan Mirza.
Later that year, the High Court instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter, leading to a chargesheet being filed against six individuals, including Abdullah, in 2018.
In 2019, the Enforcement Directorate initiated a new investigation, claiming that over Rs 50 crore was misappropriated between 2002 and 2011 during Abdullah's presidency.
In 2020, the Enforcement Directorate submitted a chargesheet to a special court in Srinagar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
However, in August 2024, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh annulled the Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet.