The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu & Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against 22 individuals, including National Conference (NC) MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, for alleged involvement in fraudulent withdrawal of payments through tampering with revenue records in Budgam district.

Charges and Legal Framework

The chargesheet was filed before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption in Srinagar, under various sections of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act (Svt 2006) and the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), including Section 5(1)(d) and 5(2), as well as Sections 120-B, 467, 468, and 471.

The case emerged from an official investigation based on a joint surprise check conducted by the ACB into allegations of misuse of official position, specifically through the tampering and insertion of false details in the revenue records of the region. This fraudulent activity allegedly resulted in the withdrawal of illegal payments, with records showing inflated land allotments at Rakh-e-Aerth in Budgam.

The Fraudulent Scheme Unveiled

The investigation revealed that several officials from the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), along with employees from the revenue and agriculture departments, conspired with Dal Lake dwellers to inflate land records and claim excess compensation. The fraudulent alterations in the land records included an increase in the land reported as possessed by beneficiaries, leading to unwarranted financial payouts.

The tampered records indicated land areas such as 60 kanal instead of 6 kanal, 40 kanals instead of 4 kanal, and 7 kanal and 10 marla instead of 2 kanal, leading to excessive compensation claims.

Key Figures Named in the Chargesheet

The chargesheet names multiple individuals implicated in the fraud, including Abdul Majid Akhtar, Zaffar Ahmad Hakak, Manzoor Ahmad Rather, and others, alongside several retired public servants and beneficiaries.

Ruhullah Mehdi’s Defense

In response to the charges, Ruhullah Mehdi has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged misappropriation, calling the issue nearly two decades old. He explained that the land in question was inherited from his grandfather and was part of a larger government effort to rehabilitate Dal Lake dwellers. Ruhullah emphasized that his family had received compensation for approximately 40 to 50 kanal, despite the family having more than 90 kanal of land in possession. He labeled the charges as an exaggeration, stating that the narrative being built around the alleged scam was misplaced.

Implications and Legal Consequences

The case highlights significant concerns regarding the manipulation of official records and the abuse of power within government departments, impacting both the state exchequer and the public trust. If convicted, the accused could face severe legal consequences under the stringent provisions of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and the RPC.

The investigation and charges filed by the ACB reinforce the importance of transparency in public administration and hold public officials accountable for any misuse of power.