Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 28: The High Court today granted last and final opportunity to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for completing the investigation in multi-crore Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scam in three weeks.
The Division Bench of Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Sanjeev Kumar Gupta granted three weeks as last and final opportunity to CBI for concluding the investigation.
Court was hearing an application filed by CBI seeking further time for carrying out the investigation into the scam but the application has been vehemently opposed by the other side with the submission that the matter has been decided in September 2015 with the direction to CBI to investigate the case within a period of six months.
Meantime, CBI officials were also present before the Court and furnished the latest status of investigation in a sealed cover which the Court has taken on record. It is mentioned here, the instant application moved by CBI for extension of time was for the fifth time and as such the counsels for opposite side opposed it with the request to the Court that it be rejected and investigating agency be directed to produce the complete report of investigation before the Court.
Funds which were provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to JKCA for promoting cricket activities in the State, were allegedly embezzled and misappropriated resulting into filing of PIL before the Court which was decided by the Division Bench in September 2015 with the direction to CBI to investigate the scam in six months.
Earlier, Court also the directed the investigating agency that if during the investigation it comes to the conclusion that the alleged embezzlement has taken place, file a report to indicate what steps have been initiated for recovery/seizure thereof.
In order to undertake expeditious investigation of FIR 27/2012 which pertains to the embezzlement, Sub Inspector Naseer Ahmad has been nominated as Nodal Officer from Zonal Police Headquarters, Kashmir for providing logistic help to CBI team.
Till date, as per CBI, 95 percent investigation has been completed which revealed that as much as 368 documents have been collected from Srinagar police, auditors of JKCA based in Srinagar, JKCA officer Srinagar, BCCI Mumbai, HDFC Bank Mohali Punjab, ICICI Bank Chennai, different branches of J&K Bank located in Srinagar and Jammu and 75 persons, including office bearers of BCCI, JKCA, Banks, Private persons related to the case have been examined.
It has emerged during investigation that a total amount of Rs. 1,12,33,04,618 (approx) had been paid by the BCCI to JKCA during April 2002 to December 2011 as annual grants.
It has also transpired from the investigation that huge amounts have been transferred from the accounts of JKCA to the accounts of different individuals, who were either office bearers of JKCA or having no connection with the JKCA during the relevant period.
CBI has traced those accounts which have been opened clandestinely and operated by the then office bearers of JKCA for siphoning off the funds of JKCA as also money flow chart has been prepared.
“BCCI had transferred a total amount of Rs 1,12,33,04,618 to JKCA from April 2002 to December 31, 2011”, mentioned the application of CBI.
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