Aga Syed Ruhullah Dismisses Land Compensation Allegations as a Hoax
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Synopsis
On April 13, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a Lok Sabha member, rejected allegations of involvement in a land compensation case, calling them an April Fool's joke. He emphasized that the accusations are unfounded and politically motivated, stemming from a decades-old land acquisition issue in Bemina-Durbal.
Key Takeaways
- Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi denies land compensation allegations.
- Labels accusations as politically motivated.
- Claims no involvement in negotiations or decisions.
- Refers to past compensation for land acquired for Dal Lake rehabilitation.
- Calls for investigations into the allegations.
Srinagar, April 13 (NationPress) Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Sunday refuted any connection to a land compensation controversy, labeling it an April Fool’s joke and asserting that the accusations are groundless and politically charged.
The issue pertains to a land acquisition case dating back two decades in the Bemina-Durbal region, which has resurfaced due to a chargesheet issued by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), naming Ruhullah Mehdi as one of the alleged beneficiaries.
“I am merely a third heir. I had no role in any discussions or decisions regarding the land. I was never summoned or interrogated by the ACB or any governmental body throughout all these years. I learned about the chargesheet the same day it was filed, just like everyone else,” said Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi during a press conference.
He emphasized that the land in question was originally owned by his late grandfather, Agha Sahib, and that compensation was legally allocated to all heirs, including his family.
According to him, the government acquired the land in the early 2000s for the resettlement of Dal Lake residents, and compensation was calculated based on ownership and agricultural use, supported by cabinet decisions and official surveys that validated the process.
“Thousands of kanals in that vicinity were acquired and compensated in the same manner. If this is being framed as a multi-crore scam, I welcome the utmost investigation. Engage the ACB, or even the NIA, if required. This feels like an April Fool’s joke, simply postponed until April 13,” he remarked, suggesting that the allegations are aimed at silencing his vocal criticism of the revocation of Article 370 and ongoing human rights issues in the region.
He mentioned that his share of compensation was a mere Rs 80,000, received almost 20 years ago.
Discussing the political context, Ruhullah Mehdi accused the Union government of marginalizing minorities and manipulating legal systems to suppress dissent.
“You cannot silence me with fabricated allegations. If you want me to stop speaking, then restore Article 370, defend minority rights, and restore dignity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” asserted the outspoken MP from Kashmir Valley.
He also expressed his concerns about a lack of communication from his party, the National Conference (NC), stating that no party officials reached out to him after the ACB chargesheet became public.
