Srinagar
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday filed the charge sheet against the former chief minister and National Conference Patron and three other accused in connection with the alleged multi-crore scam in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
A team of CBI came to file the charge sheet in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar and Dr Farooq Abdullah has been named among the accused along with the former general secretary of the JKCA Saleem Khan and former treasurer Ehsan Mirza and Bashir Ahmad Misgar, an executive in the J&K Bank.
CBI has leveled charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust under the Ranbir Penal Code against Farooq Abdullah, the then president of JKCA, and the other accused.
The BCCI gave 112 crores to the JKCA between 2002 and 2011 for the development of cricket facilities in the state. Of this, Rs 43.69 crore was allegedly siphoned off and misappropriated by the accused, the CBI has alleged.
The high court on 9 March 2016 had handed over the probe to CBI, observing that police investigation lacked both speed and credibility and that lack of will to dig out the scamsters was writ large on the face of its performance.
“Having regard for the quantum and magnitude of the scam involving huge loss of public money and failure of (police) to conduct the investigation with speed, fairness and objectivity and given the inordinate delay in concluding the investigation coupled with lack of credibility the (police) and also taking into consideration the serious allegations made against the, beneficiaries involved including the influential and mighty, we are of the considered opinion that it is a fit case where the investigation must be handed over to CBI for purposes of a fair and result oriented investigation,” the high court had said.
Meanwhile, National Conference quoting Farooq said that he has full faith in the judicial system and re-asserts his commitment to cooperate with the Court’s proceedings in the matter in the JKCA scam referred by his party as “certain financial transactions of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association.”
“President Jammu Kashmir National Conference, Dr. Farooq Abdullah has full faith in the judicial system and re-asserts his commitment to cooperate with the Honourable Court’s proceedings in the matter relating to certain financial transactions of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association,” reads a statement issued by the party.
“Pertinently, it is important to yet again the highlight, it was Dr. Farooq Abdullah who sought the registration of an FIR into this matter in the first place. Dr. Farooq Abdullah has led his life guided by the strictest principles of selfless public service and probity. He is certain that truth shall prevail. The rank and file of the party draw inspiration from Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s resolve to fight earnestly for the truth to be upheld and continues to fully support him in this endeavor,”
