Srinagar, Apr 13 (KNS): Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Sunday dismissed the allegations against him in connection with a land compensation case, likening the charges to an "April Fool joke."

Addressing a press conference in Budgam, Ruhullah clarified that the land under question originally belonged to his grandfather and compensation had been lawfully distributed among the legal heirs, as per the records. "I had no involvement in the negotiation or compensation process. My share, which was just Rs 80,000, was received nearly 20 years ago," he said.

The case, according to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), involves alleged manipulation of land revenue records related to government-acquired land in the Bemina-Darbal area over two decades ago.

Ruhullah questioned the timing and intent behind the allegations, calling the matter a deliberate attempt to malign his reputation. "If this is what they call a multi-crore scam, then I urge not just the ACB but the NIA and other central agencies to probe the matter thoroughly and transparently," he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He alleged that the charges were politically motivated, aimed at silencing his consistent opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 and his advocacy for human rights in Jammu and Kashmir. "This is part of a larger pattern where institutions are being used to corner voices of dissent, especially those from minority communities," he claimed.

Responding to queries on his party’s silence over the matter, Ruhullah said no one from the National Conference had reached out to him. He also touched upon local sentiments in his former assembly segment, Channapora-Pargam, where some residents have expressed a desire for a local candidate to represent them — a demand he described as "justified."

Ruhullah further revealed that he had never been served a notice or questioned in relation to the case at any point in the past two decades.

Notably, the ACB had filed a chargesheet on Saturday against 22 individuals, including Ruhullah and six of his relatives, accusing them of involvement in a land compensation fraud.(KNS)