Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Mar 6: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed for speedy investigations of the multi-crore misappropriations of funds scam in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association so that the culprits are brought to justice.
The High Court directed the investigating agency to take all necessary steps for speedy investigation of the case so that accused persons will not take advantage of delaying process in investigation.
“In view of the serious allegations made in this PIL, the investigating agency shall take necessary steps to expeditiously investigate the case. The delay to reconstruct the record will benefit the accused persons”, directed the division bench comprising Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.
Court said the allegations made in the PIL are of serious in nature and reconstruction of records, damaged in the floods has become inevitable. “Agency is directed to reconstruct the record within shortest possible time and proceed to investigate the case”, reads the order.
Report of Superintendent of Police (SP) states that in view of recent floods in September, seized records pertaining to the case damaged in Police Station Ram Munshi Bagh, Sringar and is being dried and retrieved in P/S Kothibagh and District Police Officer Srinagar has been requested through communication to assess the damages caused to seized records through a committee and team of officers has been constituted for the purpose and proceedings thereof is under process.
Counsel appearing for petitioners submitted before the court that the persons, against whom the allegation of embezzlement of huge amount is leveled, shall be restrained to hold the position in the Association (JKCA) adding that President of JKCA had said that let Rs 2 crores be deposited back in the association and other amount be deposited in installments.
Court also issued notice to Saleem Khan, Ehsan Mirza (Ex-member) and M L Nehru (general secretary of JKCA) for providing them an opportunity of hearing. “It is deemed appropriate to issue notice to respondents 7 to 9 also and afford them opportunity of hearing before passing any order”, court said.
Earlier, court put on notice BCCI secretary, Chief Secretary of the State, Director General of Police and SSP Srinagar for filing of their response in opposition to the PIL.
In its report, SP East had stated that during the investigation, on scrutiny of records, it came to light that an amount of Rs 3.80 crore approximately was found outstanding against some previous office bearers and representatives of JKCA.
“Similarly cash amounting to Rs 4.06 crore approximately has been found outstanding against 4 office bearers as loan by different means and in addition to this, an amount of Rs. 2.83 crore approximately has been shown as expenditure under development at various sites which is being verified”, reveals the report.
Court raised a query with regard to taking huge amount from the Association by its office bearers and observed: “In what capacity the office bearers have taken amount as loan from the association”.
The PIL had been filed by the two persons- Majid Yaqoob Dar and Nissar Ahmad Khan- who remained to be the Ranji Trophy Player and Club Level Player respectively. They alleged that Rs 40 crore embezzlement has been done by JKCA members .
Petitioners are praying for investigation of matter by a high level team of reputed police officers or from any authorized department.
They also seek investigation of FIR NO.27/2012 registered in Police Station Ram Munshi Bagh Srinagar and for bringing the guilty to book and to remove office bearers of JKCA who according to them have got themselves elected on 12.5.2014 fraudulently and dishonestly.
Those who have been arrayed respondents in the PIL include BCCI through its Secretary, Dr Farooq Abdullah (President JKCA), Chief Secretary of the State,Director General of Police, SSP Srinagar, Ehsan Mirza, Saleem Khan and Moti Lal Nehru.
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