Srinagar court issues non-bailable warrant against Farooq Abdullah in J&K cricket scam

A court in Srinagar on Thursday (March 12, 2026) issued a non-bailable warrant against National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scam case.

In the order, the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate noted that the counsel for Dr. Abdullah was given an option to ensure the presence of the accused through virtual mode.

“However, the counsel did not consent and stated that the accused could neither physically nor via virtual mode appear before the court. (Thus), Application for exemption is rejected. The office is directed to issue a non-bailable warrant,” the court held.

The court has listed the matter for further proceedings on March 30.

On March 2, the court held that there were prima facie offences under Sections 120-B, 406 and 409 Ranbir Penal Code against the accused in the scam, including Dr. Abdullah in the JKCA. The court had directed framing of charges against the accused and fixed March 12 for recording of statements of approvers.

Officials suggested that funds to the tune of ₹113.67 crore were released by the BCCI from 2002-03 up to December 2011 towards the JKCA. There are allegations that there was variation in the two sets of balance sheets of around ₹10 crores for the financial years 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10.

Dr. Abdullah was president of the JKCA from 2001 to 2011. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already filed a chargesheet against the accused under Sections 120-B, 406 and 409 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).