Srinagar, March 5: A Srinagar court has held that prima facie offences of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust are established against former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and other accused in the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) funds case, and directed that formal charges be framed.

In an order dated March 2, 2026, Chief Judicial Magistrate Tabasum noted that the evidence on record discloses prima facie violations of Sections 120-B, 406, and 409 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The case relates to alleged financial irregularities and misappropriation of JKCA funds. Two accused have already been granted pardon and turned approvers during the trial.
The court also dismissed an application by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking the addition of further offences. The court observed that the ED has no locus standi to add charges in a case investigated by another agency, particularly when the charge sheet does not disclose a scheduled offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It emphasized that the ED’s jurisdiction arises only when a predicate offence exists and proceeds of crime are derived from it.
Rejecting pleas for discharge, the court found sufficient material to proceed against the accused, noting that the essential ingredients of the alleged offences are prima facie made out. The matter has been listed for framing of charges, following which statements of the approvers will be recorded as evidence. The court added that appropriate orders would follow if the approvers retract their earlier statements.
This decision advances the legal proceedings in one of the most high-profile financial irregularity cases involving a senior political leader in Jammu & Kashmir