Srinagar, Mar 12 : A Srinagar court on Thursday issued a non-bailable warrant against National Conference president Farooq Abdullah after rejecting his plea seeking exemption from personal appearance in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scam case.

 Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar, during a hearing on the framing of charges.

 Abdullah did not appear before the court, and his counsel sought exemption citing his inability to attend the proceedings. The court noted that the defence declined the option of ensuring his presence through virtual mode and subsequently ordered issuance of the non-balliable warrant.

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

 Notably, the case relates to alleged financial irregularities in JKCA during Abdullah’s tenure as its president. The CBI, which took over the investigation in 2015 following directions from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, filed a chargesheet in 2018 alleging that over ₹43 crore meant for cricket development in J&K was misappropriated between 2002 and 2011.

 The funds were part of grants exceeding ₹100 crore released by the BCCI for cricket development in the region. Abdullah has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated.

 The development comes a day after a firing incident at a wedding function in Jammu attended by Farooq Abdullah, where a man opened fire before being overpowered by security personnel. The veteran leader escaped unhurt even as authorities are investigating the incident.