`It Seems Elections Are Announced By ED’: Former CM Omar Abdullah Grilled In J&K Bank Scam

0
1007
Former J&K Chjief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Ishfaq-ul-Hassan

SRINAGAR—After Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah, it is the turn of National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah to face the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Omar on Thursday was grilled by the agency in a case related to the alleged irregularities in sanctioning loans by the Jammu and Kashmir Bank.

The ED case is based on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s case in which the probe agency accused Mushtaq Ahmad Shaikh, the former chairman of J&K bank, and others of wrongdoings.

It was alleged that in 2010 the management of J&K Bank bought a property in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla from Akruti Gold Builders allegedly at an exorbitant price of Rs 180 crore.

The CBI had said that it was a well-planned conspiracy by the accused. Based on this, the CBI in 2021 filed a case against the bank’s management and its chairman.

Imran Nabi, a National Conference spokesman, said the ED called Omar Abdullah to Delhi because his attendance was necessary for investigation.

“Despite it being the holy month of Ramzan and Delhi not being his primary place of residence, Mr. Abdullah did not seek a postponement or a change of venue and appeared as per the notice. The central government has made a habit of misusing investigative agencies, which is another step in the same direction. No political party that puts up meaningful opposition to the BJP has been spared, whether the ED, CBI, NIA, NCB – all have been used for political purposes,” said Imran.

He said there was a time when the EC announced elections, but now it seems that the ED announced elections. “Over recent years, we have seen that wherever state elections are due, agencies like the ED move in and target those parties who pose a challenge to the BJP. The summons to our Vice President is in the same vein,” he said.

Imran said they do not doubt that this fishing expedition will yield no concrete results to the BJP, and the people will give a ringing endorsement to the national conference as and when required.

“Summon is another step in the vicious vilification campaign that started even before 5th August 2019, when constitutional position holders like the then Governor were used to make slanderous accusations against opponents of the BJP, knowing full well that there was no legal recourse available to those at the receiving end of these lies,” he said.

Imran noted that even though this exercise is political, Omar Abdullah will cooperate with investigative agencies as there is no wrongdoing on his part. “He is not an accused in any matter under investigation,” he said.

Last year, former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah were grilled by different central investigative agencies in different cases.  

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here