Srinagar, Apr 13: Member of Parliament Ruhullah Mehdi has strongly denied any involvement in a recently surfaced land compensation case, terming the allegations against him as “baseless” and “politically motivated.” The case, which pertains to a land acquisition process from over two decades ago in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bemina-Darbal area, has triggered controversy after an official chargesheet reportedly included Mehdi’s name among the alleged beneficiaries.
In a press briefing on Sunday, as per news agency—Kashmir Bulletin (KB) Mehdi expressed his gratitude to the press for attending and clarified his family’s historical connection to the land in question. “This land belonged to my late grandfather Agha Sahib, and the compensation was given to his heirs like many others in the area. I am the third in the line of inheritance and had no direct role in negotiations or decisions regarding the land,” Mehdi said.
The MP, who served as an MLA for 18 years before being elected to the Parliament, emphasized that he was neither issued any notice by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) nor questioned by police or administration over the past two decades. “I only learned about the chargesheet the day it was filed—just like everyone else,” he added.
According to Mehdi, the land was originally acquired by the government in the early 2000s for the rehabilitation of Dal dwellers. The landowners, including Mehdi’s grandfather’s family, were compensated based on possession and agricultural use. He cited cabinet decisions and surveys that formed the legal basis for the compensation, stating that thousands of kanals in the area were similarly processed.
He further disclosed that his personal share, as per inheritance and division among 11 legal heirs, amounted to just Rs 80,000—received nearly 20 years ago. “If this is what is being called a multi-crore scam, then I welcome the harshest investigation. Bring in not just the ACB, but even the NIA,” he said, urging transparency and a detailed public investigation.
Mehdi also criticized the timing and intent behind the allegations. “This seems like an April Fool’s joke, delayed till April 13,” he remarked, referring to the political overtones of the charges. He suggested that such tactics were aimed at silencing him due to his vocal opposition to the revocation of Article 370 and ongoing human rights concerns in Jammu and Kashmir.
Touching upon the broader political climate, Mehdi accused the central government of marginalizing minorities and using legal tools to suppress dissent. “You can’t silence me with fabricated cases. If you really want me to be silent, restore Article 370, respect minority rights, and return the dignity of Jammu and Kashmir,” he asserted.
Addressing questions about his party’s stance, Mehdi confirmed that there had been no official communication from the National Conference leadership regarding the case. “If they had spoken to me, they would have known the facts,” he noted, subtly questioning the party’s internal response.
The MP concluded by supporting local sentiments in his former assembly constituency, Channapora-Pargam, that it should be represented by a local in the future. “People welcomed me with love before, but their demand for a native representative is valid and should be respected,” he said.
As political temperatures rise ahead of upcoming elections, Mehdi’s rebuttal adds another layer to the ongoing debates over governance, corruption, and autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir.— (KB)
