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New Delhi: National Conference president and a prominent figure in Indian politics Farooq Abdullah has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in an alleged money laundering case. The case concerns financial irregularities within the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association and involves alleged misappropriation of funds into individual bank accounts. The summoning of Abdullah by the ED on Thursday is another step in the agency’s mission to tackle financial crimes and ensure compliance with financial regulations across India.
The ED initiated a money laundering investigation on the basis of a charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against office-bearers of the association. The case revolves around alleged misappropriation of JKCA funds through various personal bank accounts and unexplained cash withdrawals. The allegations suggest that the game of cricket could have been turned into a game of fraud, with funds allocated for the development of the game in the region being used for personal gain.
ED summoning 86 year-old NC chief Abdullah is not an isolated incident. The agency has been casting a wide net, targeting several opposition leaders in recent times. This includes questioning Abdullah’s son Omar in the Jammu and Kashmir bank fraud case last year and summoning other leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren. The ED’s actions highlight its ongoing efforts to curb financial irregularities and illicit monetary transactions in the country.
Farooq Abdullah, who was the JKCA president from 2001 to 2012, is accused of misusing his position to make appointments in the sports body and embezzling BCCI-sponsored funds. The alleged scam, which took place between 2004 and 2009, is being investigated by both the CBI and ED. The outcome of this investigation and its implications for Abdullah and the National Conference will be closely watched, as it further exposes the complex nexus of politics and money in India.
