Hours after clamping a non-bailable warrant on Farooq Abdullah for skipping a hearing in the JKCA scam, Srinagar’s CJM backtracked on Thursday. The reversal stemmed from a near-fatal attack on the veteran politician, rendering him medically incapacitated for travel or appearance.
Lawyer Ishtiaq Khan’s intervention was pivotal, detailing how the assault triggered severe after-effects on Abdullah’s hypertension and cardiac health. Physicians imposed a no-travel edict, enforcing round-the-clock monitoring and security lockdowns that barred even short journeys between Jammu and Srinagar.
Prior rejections of appearance waivers for Abdullah and co-accused Manzoor Ghanfar Ali had escalated to warrants. The CBI’s rigorous investigation into JKCA’s financial mismanagement accuses Abdullah, during his presidency, of overseeing fund diversions meant for cricket growth. Named co-conspirators include Ahsan Ahmad Mirza, Mohammad Salim Khan, and Bashir Ahmad Misgar.
The chargesheet lays bare a trail of embezzlement involving crores, painting a grim picture of governance lapses in the cricket body. With the warrant lifted, the case inches forward, balancing Abdullah’s respite against the demand for justice in this protracted corruption saga.
This episode reflects the unpredictable interplay of security threats and courtroom battles in Jammu and Kashmir, where personal safety often collides with legal duties. Observers note it could set precedents for handling similar high-risk situations.