Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday appeared before a special court which granted him bail in a money laundering case related to the alleged financial irregularities in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
The Principal District and Sessions Judge here had in July taken cognisance of a charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the case and summoned him.
The court will now hear arguments on the framing of charges on September 26.
As the case was called for hearing on Saturday, Abdullah’s lawyer Ishtiyaq Ahmad Khan said the NC chief may not be able to attend the court due to health issues.
The judge told Khan that Abdullah should be present in the court on the next date of hearing on September 26. The lawyer assured the court that the former J-K chief minister will attend the hearing on that day.
However, Abdullah, 84, arrived in the court later on Saturday and appeared before the judge as mandated in the law.
The special court had taken up a charge sheet filed by the ED against him and others in the JKCA money laundering case. All the accused have to be present in the court when the charge sheet is taken up for cognisance as per the procedure.
Abdullah and the other accused were released on bail after furnishing the necessary bonds.
“I went before the court and the necessary formalities were completed,” Abdullah told PTI.
The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar furnished a bail bond for Rs 50,000 and a surety for like amount, Khan said.
—PTI

Press Trust of India