Truth will prevail: former J

Srinagar, June 12 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, whose name had allegedly figured in the sex scandal that rocked the Valley in the recent past, today sought to come clean on the issue, saying he was not involved in the flesh trade racket and the truth will come out.

This is for the first time since his name allegedly surfaced in the sex racket case that Mr Mir has come out in his defence refuting the allegations of his involvement in the scandal.

In an informal interaction with journalists at his official residence here, Mr Mir said the CBI was investigating the sex racket case, being monitored by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

''The law of the land is supreme and will take its own course. I have full faith in judiciary and the CBI which is the country's premier investigating agency. The truth will come out,'' he added.

The former Roads and Building Minister also said that the CBI had not approached him in the case so far and expressed satisfaction over the court proceedings.

Mr Mir also criticised a section of media for ''passing judgements'' and ignoring the court directions.

He dismissed media reports suggesting that he had been absconding. ''I have not left my official residence during the past four weeks except for a visit to my constituency in Dooru. The media reports that I am evading arrest are baseless. I wonder why my name is unnecessarily being dragged into the incident,'' he added.

Mr Mir appealed to the media to realise its responsibilities and act accordingly.

He also replied in affirmative when asked if the Congress High Command had sought an explanation from him on his alleged involvement in the sex scandal.

''The party has not sought any explanation from me till date. The party fully knows my contribution during the past 27 years. The leaders know my character and my work as well and have complete faith in me,'' the former Minister added.

However, the Congress leader did not rule out difference of opinion and thinking in the party. ''There are people with different thinking in the party. One cannot deny that,'' he added.

Mr Mir alleged that there were some vested interests out to ''malign his image''. ''I am the representative of more than 70,000 people and am known for credibility and integrity in the Congress and among the people. I have been a man of principles and never done anything that could have maligned my image. I think some people do not want me to grow and are thus creating hurdles,'' he added.

UNI AG PK HT1510