Court issues non-bailable warrant to Farooq
A day after the National Conference President and former Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, survived an assassination bid at a marriage function in Jammu, a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued against him by a Srinagar court in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) financial irregularities case.
The warrant was issued by the designated court after rejecting an exemption application filed on his behalf in the said case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The order was passed by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar, during the hearing scheduled for framing of charges in the case on March 12.
According to court records, the CBI has already filed a chargesheet against several accused, including Abdullah, under Sections 120-B, 406 and 409 of J&K’s erstwhile Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
Dr Farooq Abdullah, who was still camping in Jammu and meeting different party leaders and the National Conference workers, could not appear before the court on Thursday.
On his behalf, his counsel sought an exemption from personal appearance, but the CJM rejected the plea. The court noted that, even after being offered the option to join the hearing virtually, counsel declined, stating that Abdullah could neither appear in person nor via videoconference. The court then directed the issuance of the NBW and listed the matter for further proceedings on March 30. The court had fixed March 12 for framing of charges and then recording of statements of approvers.
