ED Quizzes Omar Abdullah Over J&K Bank Case; NC Calls It 'Vicious Vilification'

The National Conference leader was being questioned in Delhi in relation with a scam.

File image of Omar Abdullah.

(Photo: PTI)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday, 7 April, questioned former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Delhi in a case related to J&K Bank.

As per ED officials, the former Jammu and Kashmir CM appeared before the investigators around 11 am, ANI reported. Addressing reporters after the probe, he stated,

"They (ED) didn't accuse me of anything. They called me for questioning in connection with an ongoing investigation of a 12-13-yr-old case. I answered them as much as I could. I will further help them if they need me."

Omar Abdullah, as per ANI

The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) issued a statement soon after the summons, saying that Abdullah was called by the ED to Delhi to appear before it on Thursday on the grounds that his attendance was necessary in connection with an investigation.

The party flayed the ED move, terming it another step in the "vicious vilification campaign" that had begun before 5 August 2019.

"The central government has made a habit of misusing investigative agencies and this is another step in the same direction. No political party that puts up meaningful opposition to the BJP has been spared, whether it is the ED, CBI, NIA, NCB - all have been used for political purposes,"

JKNC statement

"Even though this exercise is political in nature he will cooperate as there is no wrongdoing on his part," the statement read.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last year had registered a case against the then management of J&K Bank for the purchase of a property from Akruti Gold Builders in 2010 allegedly at an exorbitant rate of Rs 180 crore.

The CBI probed the J&K Bank in 2021 for alleged irregularities in sanctioning loans and investments. Following this, The ED initiated a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the alleged scam.

(With inputs from NDTV)