Fresh Criminal Charges Against Farooq Abdullah in JKCA Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed an application before a Srinagar court to add fresh criminal charges against ex-Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in the JKCA money laundering case. This comes after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed the case last month but allowed ED to pursue new charges.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted an application to a Srinagar court seeking to add two new criminal charges against former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and others in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) money laundering case. This move follows last month's Jammu and Kashmir High Court decision that quashed the case and charge sheet but permitted ED to canvas new charges.

Official sources indicate that the ED filed its plea in the court of Principal District and Sessions Judge, aiming to incorporate IPC sections 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) and 424 (dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property) in the case concerning financial irregularities in JKCA. The high court's decision allows the local court to consider framing new charges, enabling ED to register a fresh case if necessary.

This development coincides with the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, where 86-year-old Abdullah's party, National Conference (NC), is contesting. The ED argues that the CBI inadvertently missed integrating the new charges in their 2018 charge sheet. The ED had previously attached assets worth Rs 21.55 crore and alleges misappropriation of funds totaling Rs 43.69 crore by JKCA from BCCI grants between 2002 and 2011.

(With inputs from agencies.)