Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has declined a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking the addition of charges in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) funds case.
The ED had sought the addition of offences relating to receiving and concealing property allegedly connected with the case. The High Court, however, said the material currently available did not justify directing the trial court to frame the additional charges.
The case concerns alleged irregularities in the handling of funds provided to the JKCA by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The matter has been under investigation for several years and involves allegations of financial misappropriation.
The High Court’s order came after the ED approached it seeking further charges under Sections 411 and 424 of the Ranbir Penal Code. The court examined the material placed before it and did not find sufficient grounds at this stage to direct the trial court to add those offences.
The main case is being prosecuted on charges that include criminal conspiracy and breach of trust. Earlier this year, a Srinagar court had directed that charges be framed against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and other accused in connection with the alleged JKCA fund irregularities.
The High Court’s latest decision relates specifically to the ED’s request for additional charges and does not bring the wider JKCA case to an end. Proceedings in the underlying case will continue before the trial court.
The JKCA case relates to alleged misuse of funds received by the cricket body and has remained one of the prominent financial cases involving the association.
