AMN /
The Jammu & Kashmir High Court today quashed detention of the separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat under Public Safety Act and directed the government to release him.
While quashing the detention orders of September 1 and November 30, 2015 against Bhat, a bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar observed that laws were sacred as they protect the rights of the people, and it becomes duty of the court to enforce the laws of the land even in extreme circumstances. The court directed the concerned authorities to release him from preventive custody.
On August 21, High Court had quashed detention of Bhat who was booked under Public Safety Act on April 15, this year. On April 17, Bhat was arrested under PSA and shifted to Kote Bhalwal jail in Jammu after his release by the new PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir had triggered a controversy. He was released in March this year after his detention of over four years under PSA.
His arrest was effected on charges of waging war against the country and sedition after he allegedly raised anti-national slogans during April 15 rally organised for Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani after his return from New Delhi. The 45-year-old leader was remanded to seven-day police custody after his arrest.
