MP Ruhullah Mehdi rejects graft allegations, Calls probe a political stunt
Srinagar, April 13 (KB): Member of Parliament Ruhullah Mehdi has firmly rejected any connection to a recently emerged land compensation case, calling the accusations against him “groundless” and “driven by political motives”. The case involves a land acquisition that took place over 20 years ago in the Bemina-Darbal area of Jammu and Kashmir and has stirred controversy following reports that Mehdi’s name appeared in an official chargesheet as one of the alleged beneficiaries.
During a press conference on Sunday, as reported by the Kashmir Bulletin (KB), Mehdi thanked the media for their presence and explained his family’s longstanding ties to the disputed land. He stated, “The land originally belonged to my late grandfather, Agha Sahib, and compensation was distributed among his heirs, just as it was for other families in the area. I am merely the third-generation inheritor and had no personal involvement in the land-related discussions or decisions.”
The MP, who served as an MLA for 18 years before being elected to the Parliament, emphasised 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 learnt 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 criticised 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 marginalising 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)
