Muzafar Shah Files Rs 5 Cr Defamation Suit Against Govt, TOI

Awami National Conference vice President, Muzzaffar Shah | KO File Photo

Srinagar: Awami National Conference Senior Vice President Muzafar Ahmed Shah on Wednesday said that a defamation notice seeking Rs 5 crore penalty has been served against the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, and media house Times of India for accusing his family of illegally occupying government land in this capital city under the Roshni Scheme.

Shah, who is the son of former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Khawaja Ghulam Muhammad, said on Wednesday that the defamation notice has been issued against Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Editor Times of India, New Delhi and their Srinagar based correspondent for publishing false and fabricated story on the basis of false information provided by the government officials.

The officials, he said have portrayed his father in a wrong color sullying their image and integrity in the general public and political circles, and accusing them of illegally occupying government land at Magarmal Bagh under the Roshni Scheme.

'The fact of the matter is that the said land and property in question has been under our legal occupation from 1948 after my father and his brother sold their ancestral property at Chatabal under a Cabinet Sanction and with the same proceeds were given the occupation of the Magarmal Bagh property under the government sanction under proper rules and regulations of that time,' Shah said.

Rejecting the official claims that the Magarmal Bagh property was in no way associated with the Roshni Scheme, Shah said that his ancestral property inherited by the present generation rightfully and legally stands under their occupation.

'The purpose of taking names selectively of our family, our aunt Mrs Suraya Ali Matuu or our uncle Dr Farooq Abdullah, his family is nothing but witch hunting to create confusion and damage our integrity, nationality and credibility,' he said.

'The real culprits of the Roshni Scheme are now identified as former MLAs and Ministers of the BJP in the Jammu Division. The law will take its course against every erring individual involved in the scam,' he added.

Talking about the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) elections, the ANC leader said that he has taken up the issue of 'brazen discrimination and disparity' in security to the PAGD candidates with the State Election Commissioner KK Sharma over phone.

'BJP and Apni party candidates and campaigners are facilitated with full security gear and state empowerment. Most of their leaders carry double escort, local police station escort in addition to being provided bullet proof vehicles. Their vehicles are provided cover during nights to corrupt voters as against this PAGD candidates including MLAs / MLCs, senior leaders and even PAGD apex members and star campaigners are denied adequate security cover and put to an open disadvantage,' he said, and urged SEC to take immediate redressal measures and ensure level playing fields to one and all.

Shah also demanded a 'strict action' against the officials in Budgam for allegedly giving special treatment to BJP leader Shah Nawaz Hussain by providing him fool proof security while touring the Soibugh Constituency on 28 November, keeping PAGD, ANC candidate Nazir Ahmed Wani under custody in his guest house.

'This is a gross violation of the rules of the election commission of India,' he said. (KNT)

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