J&K Bank scam: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Sunday asked former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to clarify whether she had endorsed some appointments in J&K Bank. The notice was based on the investigation that revealed that some appointments were made by Chairman J&K Bank on the recommendation of a few Ministers. The ACB is probing multi-crore loan fraud case in J&K Bank.

“During the course of investigations of case FIR No. 10/2019 police station ACBK dated 08/06/2019, it has surfaced that some appointments were made by chairman J&K Bank on references of the recommendation of few ministers. It may please be clarified that whether such references had your endorsement, verbal or otherwise, for appointments in JK Bank,” read the ACB notice to Mufti.

However, the former chief minister called it an attempt to browbeat mainstream leaders and thwart potential efforts for a collective response. In a tweet, she said: “Not surprised to receive a letter from the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Concerted efforts are being made to browbeat mainstream leaders & thwart potential efforts for a collective response. I am too small an entity vis a vis the cause that unites us today. Such tactics won’t work.”

Earlier in the day, the former chief minister accused the central government of using tactics against mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir. She said that the Centre was using corruption as a tool against political parties and harassing the party workers.