Farooq Abdullah again skips ED summons in money laundering case

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) chief Dr Farooq Abdullah, has once again skipped the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons in connection with a money laundering case. This marks the second instance in the past month that the 86-year-old politician has not appeared before the ED.

Abdullah was required to be present at the ED office in Srinagar on Tuesday, but he informed the authorities that he was not in Srinagar and, therefore, unable to comply with the summons. Earlier, on January 11, he had cited health reasons for missing the ED summon.

The ED has been investigating Abdullah in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds from the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association during his tenure as its President between 2004 and 2009. The case is based on an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which accused Abdullah and former JKCA office-bearers of siphoning off over Rs 113 crore in funds.

The scandal came to light in 2012, and in 2022, the ED filed a chargesheet against Farooq Abdullah. The ongoing investigation continues to probe the financial irregularities within the J&K cricket body.