Srinagar: In the multi-crore Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scam, former Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday pleaded not guilty to charges of alleged fund misappropriation before a Srinagar court.
Abdullah appeared via virtual mode before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar, where the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was formally read out.
Refuting all allegations, Abdullah told the court, “No, I am not guilty of any of the charges,” and described the accusations as “fabricated”.
The court also read out charges to other accused individuals named in the case and recorded their statements.
Earlier, on March 12, the court had issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Abdullah for failing to appear in person. The warrant was later recalled after he submitted an application citing medical and security concerns for his absence.
The case dates back to 2018, when the CBI chargesheeted Abdullah for alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as president of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (2002–2011).
According to investigators, funds meant for cricket development in the erstwhile state were allegedly siphoned off, involving a portion of over ₹100 crore granted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In earlier proceedings this month, the CJM Srinagar observed that sufficient material existed on record to frame charges against the accused.
At the same time, the court dismissed a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking the addition of further offences under Sections 411 and 414 of the law.
The court held that the ED could not be made a party in a case investigated and prosecuted by the CBI, particularly when no scheduled offence under the ED’s jurisdiction had been established in the chargesheet.
“Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, provisions of law and judicial precedents, ED cannot be made a party…,” the court observed, adding that the agency lacked legal standing to seek additional charges. The magistrate also noted that the ED’s application was unclear and referred to provisions no longer applicable.
With charges now framed and pleas recorded, the case is set to proceed to trial, where evidence and witness testimonies will determine the course of justice.
