Muttiah Muralitharan’s Firm Gets 25.75 Acres Free in J&K, Sparks Political Controversy

The Jammu & Kashmir government has allocated 25.75 acres of land free of cost to Sri Lankan cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan’s company, Ceylon Beverages, in Kathua district. The company plans to invest ₹1,600 crore to establish a bottling and aluminum can manufacturing unit on the land.

The revelation of this land allocation has triggered strong criticism from opposition parties, including the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M). Amid the ongoing budget session, opposition leaders raised the issue during the question-hour session, demanding an explanation from the government.

CPI(M) MLA M.Y. Tarigami demanded to know the rationale behind granting free land to Muralitharan’s company. Congress leader G.A. Mir called it a serious issue and questioned how land could be allocated without charge to a non-Indian entity.

Responding to the opposition’s questions, Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar stated that the matter falls under the revenue department’s jurisdiction and that he was not aware of the details. He assured the assembly that the government would look into the issue.