Srinagar, Dec 19 (KNS): Enforcement Directorate (ED) today attached properties of Dr Farooq Abdullah worth Rs 11.86 crores under PMLA in connection with the laundering of funds of Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
Officials informed KNS that the attached properties include three residential houses, one at Gupkar Road, Srinagar; one at Tehsil Katipora, Tanmarg, & one at Bhatindi in Jammu); commercial buildings at posh Residency Road area of Srinagar.
The officials added that between 2005-2006 to 2011, JKCA received funding of Rs 109.78 Lac from BCCI.
"Between 2006 to Jan 2012, when Abdullah was JKCA president, he misused his position & clout by illegal appointments of office bearer to whom he gave financial powers for purpose of laundering of funds," they said.
The scam surfaced in 2012 over allegations of misappropriation of funds in the JKCA, then headed by Abdullah. The money was sent by the BCCI to the JKCA.
Jammu and Kashmir High Court officially handed over the case to the CBI in September 2015 and the ED too chipped in with the filing of an FIR. The ED actions have in the past coincided with major political developments, raising eyebrows.
The ED filed a chargesheet in July last year against Abdullah and three others for allegedly misappropriating Rs 43 crore, amid unprecedented uncertainty ahead of the August 5 abrogation of Article 370. Abdullah then claimed he had done no wrong and was open to investigations.
Recently Abdullah, the National Conference president and Srinagar Lok Sabha MP, was summoned and questioned from by ED officials at its Srinagar office in connection with his alleged role in the scam.
Abdullah, after daylong grilling, vowed not to give up his struggle for the restoration of Article 370, although he refused to link his questioning with the recent developments.
“We have a long way to go. We have a long political battle. That fight will continue whether Farooq Abdullah is alive or whether Farooq Abdullah is dead,” Abdullah had told reporters. “Our resolve has never changed, our resolve will never change even if am to be handed. It is the struggle of people of Jammu and Kashmir, not Farooq Abdullah’s.”
The NC leader said he is not scared of the ED and mocked his only concern was that he could not have his lunch on Monday. “My only regret is that I could not have my lunch today. I could not bring my lunch here,” he said. (KNS)