National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi
Credit: PTI Photo
Srinagar: Ruling National Conference (NC) leader and Member of Parliament Syed Aga Ruhullah on Sunday rejected allegations linking him to a land compensation scam, calling them “baseless” and driven by political motives.
The controversy surfaced just a day earlier when Ruhullah’s name appeared in Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir Police charge sheet in connection with alleged irregularities in land compensation.
The ACB filed a charge sheet against 22 individuals, including Ruhullah and six of his relatives in a local court.
Responding to the allegations, he told reporters, “The land in question belonged to my late grandfather, Agha Sahib. Compensation was awarded to his legal heirs, just as it was to others in the area. I am third in the line of inheritance and played no role in negotiations or decisions regarding the property.”
Ruhullah emphasized that he has never been contacted by the ACB, nor questioned by police or administrative officials at any point in the last two decades. “I only became aware of the chargesheet the day it was filed—like everyone else,” he added.
Taking a swipe at the timing of the allegations, he remarked, “This feels like an April Fool’s prank, just delayed till April 13.”
The MP, known for his outspoken views, suggested the allegations were part of a broader effort to suppress dissenting voices. “This is clearly a tactic to silence me for opposing the abrogation of Article 370 and for speaking out on human rights issues in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The NC MP concluded with a defiant message: “If the aim is to silence me, then restore Article 370, uphold minority rights, and bring back the dignity of Jammu and Kashmir. Fabricated cases won’t work.”