𝐀𝐠𝐚 𝐑𝐮𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐦, 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚

Budgam, Apr 13: A day after being named in a chargesheet by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in an alleged fraudulent land compensation case, Member of Parliament and senior National Conference (NC) leader Aga Ruhullah strongly denied the allegations, calling them a politically motivated attempt to silence his dissenting views.

Addressing a press conference, Ruhullah said the case, which involves land at Durbal Bemina, dates back nearly two decades and concerns land inherited from his grandfather. He clarified that he was only a legal heir and received a nominal compensation amount—about Rs 80,000—through his uncle’s account. “They’re trying to portray this as a massive scam with me at its center. The truth is, I had no involvement in any compensation dealings. My uncle, as custodian of the land, handled everything,” he said.

He added that the land was originally more than 90 kanals, but compensation was given only for around 40-50 kanals based on actual possession, not just revenue records. Ruhullah emphasized he was never questioned or served any legal notice before the chargesheet was filed.

Calling the case baseless, he alleged it was a tactic to stifle his political voice. “If they want to go after me for Rs 80,000, so be it. I won’t be silenced until Article 370 is restored, atrocities stop, and J&K’s constitutional rights are returned,” he declared.

He also criticized the central government’s control over religious institutions and said his party plans to challenge the Waqf Act in the Supreme Court. Reflecting on why he didn’t speak on the Waqf Bill in Parliament, Ruhullah explained that the NC’s floor leader chose to speak instead, but questioned why the J&K Legislative Assembly didn’t at least express an opinion through a resolution.

On the matter of statehood, he said, “It won’t be restored easily. We shouldn’t remain passive. Political representatives should have mounted pressure by taking strong visible action.”

Thanking the people of Budgam for their support in the 2024 assembly elections, Ruhullah said there’s a strong public desire for a representative from Budgam to once again serve in Parliament. He reiterated his commitment to principled politics, saying he didn’t contest assembly elections because he didn’t want to be part of what he described as a “downgraded assembly.”

He concluded by reaffirming his dedication to public service, urging political leaders to look beyond elections and genuinely uphold public trust.