JKCA scam: Two officials ousted

Cricket: Official to pay back money by March 20

Money laundering in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association JKCA,headed by Union minister Farooq Abdullah,has led to the ouster of two officials general secretary Ashan Mirza and chief administrative officer Saleem Khan. However,instead of lodging a formal complaint with the police,the JKCA has asked Mirza to deposit maximum amount of the money,whatsoever he can,by March 20.

The scam led to uproarious scenes in the Assembly on Thursday,with PDP MLAs led by Mehbooba Mufti demanding a police case against Farooq Abdullah and a statement from the government in the matter.

Admitting that Mirza has been given a March 20 deadline to return whatever money he can,JKCA chairman Aslam Goni said this has been done to ensure we get back the money meant for cricketers.

Goni said the extent of money siphoned off by the two officials is being ascertained and auditors will be looking into JKCA accounts. We cant divulge details at this point in time, he said,adding that records since 1996 were being examined. We have sought all records of funds from BCCI to ascertain how much money is involved. Sources said the amount siphoned off over the past five years could be between Rs 40 and 50 crore.

Mirza said: I have submitted my resignation to Farooq Abdullah. I take moral responsibility for it. They JKCA suspect some money has been bungled. They have constituted a probe panel and I am ready to cooperate.

The JKCA had asked Khan to resign by Thursday,stating that otherwise he would be sacked.

The Indian Express first reported on October 18,2011 withdrawal of crores allegedly by Mirza and Khan through self-cheques from JKCAs bank accounts.

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Quoting bank statements,it was reported that they withdrew Rs 3.41 crore through self-cheques from Jammu Kashmir Banks Air Cargo branch in Srinagar between April 15 and December 3,2009. Similarly,another Rs 1.35 crore was withdrawn from the same branch in April-July 2010.

As per a letter dated April 14,2009,informing the bank about the JKCA election,Farooq had authorised Goni and then general secretary Khan to operate accounts along with then treasurer Mirza. In 2011,Mirza was elected general secretary while Goni remained chairman. Manzoor Wazir got elected as treasurer. Khan was appointed chief administrative officer.

What raised suspicion over the withdrawals was their timings. Cricketers said there was no major cricketing action in the Valley then in view of the public unrest.