Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 25 

A sessions court in Srinagar stayed proceedings against former chief minister Farooq Abdullah in a case related to alleged misappropriation of funds in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), court documents showed.

Additional Sessions Judge Farooq Ahmad Bhat put on hold two earlier orders of a trial court, including the framing of charges against Abdullah, pending further hearing.

“The operation of the impugned order dated 02.03.2026, and the subsequent proceedings dated March 30, 2026 (framing of charges), shall remain in abeyance … as they pertain to the revisionist,” the court said.

The trial court had earlier rejected Abdullah’s plea for discharge and framed charges under provisions related to criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and abetment.

The sessions court noted that Abdullah had raised substantial legal questions, including whether his role as president of the JKCA amounted to “legal entrustment” or “actual dominion” over funds in the absence of a direct money trail.

It also questioned whether adding an abetment charge without a specific overt act constituted a mechanical exercise of judicial power.

Abdullah, 88, has argued that his role in the association was largely honorary, with financial management handled by other office bearers, and that a routine administrative approval in 2008 did not establish criminal liability.

The case, investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, relates to alleged siphoning of more than Rs 4.3 crore from grants provided to the cricket body. 

Other accused include former association officials and a bank executive.