JKCA Case: Farooq Pleads Not Guilty, To Face Trial

2026-03-30 08:05:16

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Monday pleaded not guilty to the charges of alleged fund misappropriation in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).

The three-time Chief Minister appeared through virtual mode before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar, Ms Tabassum, who formally read out the contents of the chargesheet filed by CBI against him.

Farooq Abdullah responded in the affirmative when asked by the court whether the contents of the chargesheet had been explained to him and whether he had understood them.

When asked if he pleaded guilty to the charges, Abdullah replied,“No, I am not guilty of any of the charges.”

To the court's final query on whether he wished to say anything further, he stated,“I have nothing more to say except that these charges are false and fabricated.”

The case relates to alleged misappropriation of funds within the JKCA. The CBI has filed a chargesheet accusing Abdullah and several others of siphoning off more than Rs 43 crore from grants provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to the association.

On the previous date of hearing on March 12, the court had recalled the non-bailable warrant issued against the patron of the ruling National Conference, shortly after rejecting his plea for exemption. The 88-year-old had cited multiple age-related ailments and stated that he had been placed under a“high-risk medical category.”

Read Also J&K Assembly Condemns Attack On Dr. Farooq J&K Police Ask Public for Videos, Photos in Farooq Abdullah Attack Case

Abdullah had also referred to a“traumatic and life-threatening murderous attack” on him in Jammu on March 11.

Earlier, on March 2, the court observed that the essential ingredients of offences under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) of the Ranbir Penal Code were prima facie made out against him.

Besides Abdullah, the accused include Mohammad Saleem Khan (then general secretary of JKCA), Ahsan Ahmad Mirza (then treasurer), Manzoor Gazanfar Ali, Bashir Ahmad Misgar (an executive with Jammu & Kashmir Bank), and Gulzar Ahmad Beigh. The court framed charges against other accused. Manzoor Gazanfar Ali and Gulzar Ahmad Beigh, have been granted pardon in the case.

MENAFN30032026000215011059ID1110921091

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.