The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a charge sheet against 22 individuals, including prominent National Conference (NC) leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah, in connection with a fraudulent land compensation case in Budgam. The accused are alleged to have tampered with revenue records and withdrawn compensation amounts fraudulently, leading to a significant financial loss to the state exchequer.
The case, registered under FIR No. 18/2009, involves manipulation of land records related to a government scheme aimed at rehabilitating Dal Lake dwellers. The investigation was initiated by a Joint Surprise Check (JSC), which uncovered the tampering of land records. The accused face charges under the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Corruption Act and several sections of the Ranbir Penal Code, including 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), and 471 (using forged documents).
Ruhullah, however, vehemently denied the allegations, calling the case a “frivolous attempt” to stifle his political voice. Addressing the media in Srinagar, he described the charges as an April Fool’s joke, dismissing claims that he was the mastermind behind the alleged scam. Ruhullah clarified that the land in question had belonged to his grandfather, and compensation was paid based on actual possession, not just revenue records. He stated that his family received compensation for 40-50 kanals of land, with his own share being a nominal amount of Rs 80,000, which was transferred through his uncle’s account. Ruhullah insisted that he was not involved in any negotiations or dealings regarding the compensation.
“My family received the compensation through my eldest uncle, who acted as the custodian of the property. I had no involvement with the government in this matter,” he explained. Ruhullah expressed shock at being named in the charge sheet, adding that he had not been consulted or informed about the process at any stage.
The MP further denounced the case as politically motivated, suggesting that the charges were an attempt to silence his outspoken political views, particularly his stance on the abrogation of Article 370 and human rights issues in Jammu and Kashmir. He argued that the charges were not about the Rs 80,000, but about targeting him for his political beliefs and refusal to “bend” under pressure. Ruhullah also proposed that if authorities truly believed there was a scam, they should bring in central agencies like the NIA.
In his address, Ruhullah said he’s committed for the restoration the constitutional rights of Jammu and Kashmir, including the restoration of Article 370, and urged the government to address atrocities against minorities. He also took the opportunity to criticize the central government’s control over Muslim religious institutions and vowed that the National Conference would challenge the Waqf Act in the Supreme Court.
Ruhullah also expressed frustration over the lack of action regarding the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the political leadership of passivity. “We should have mobilized politically. Fifty MLAs should have camped outside the Prime Minister’s and Home Minister’s residences. But instead, we are running away from the people’s aspirations,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to principled politics, stating that political engagement should not be reduced to elections alone but must reflect public trust and honor the promises made to the people. Ruhullah also expressed his respect for the people of Budgam, acknowledging their desire to have a local representative for the vacated Assembly seat.
