The release of Mehbooba Mufti occurs just when the deadline set by the Supreme Court expired (Archive)
New Delhi:
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was released Tuesday evening after being detained by the government for nearly 14 months, since it removed Article 370 in August, and being charged under the Act. Public Safety Act (PSA), a strict law that allows detention. and multiple extensions without trial for up to three months, in February.
Ms. Mufti’s release comes just as the deadline set by the Supreme Court, which her daughter Iltija Mufti had approached with a habeas corpus petition, expired.
In September, the court questioned the center and the J&K management about his detention, asking them: “How long can Mehbooba Mufti be kept in custody?” The J&K management was given two weeks to explain how long they intended to keep Ms Mufti in custody.
In July, Ms. Mufti’s detention under the Public Security Act was extended for another three months.
Minutes after Ms Mufti’s release was confirmed, her daughter, Iltija Mufti, who took over her mother’s Twitter account after her arrest, tweeted: “When Ms Mufti’s illegal detention finally comes to an end, I would like to thank everyone who supported me these times. I owe a debt of gratitude to all of you. This is Iltija’s farewell. May Allah protect you. “
Now that Ms. Mufti’s illegal detention is finally coming to an end, I would like to thank everyone who supported me through these difficult times. I owe a debt of gratitude to all of you. This is Iltija’s farewell. فی امان اﷲ May allah protect you
– Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 13, 2020
“There is a sense of great relief,” Iltija Mufti told NDTV when asked about giving up control of her mother’s social media account, “Twitter is a toxic place. I’m glad I’m not on it anymore. My mother will finally use her own Twitter handle. It felt abnormal to use hers. “
“… but many young people are still languishing in jail. (The arrest was a) complete parody of justice (and) other families are still suffering.”
Hundreds of politicians, including Ms Mufti and two other former senior ministers, Farooq Abdullah and her son Omar, were detained or arrested as part of a massive crackdown by the center to quell backlash over their Article 370 decision.
The Abdullahs were released within days of each other in March. Omar Abdullah tweeted today, saying he was pleased to hear Ms Mufti’s release.
“I am pleased to learn that Mehbooba Mufti sahiba has been released after more than a year in detention. Her continued detention was a travesty and was against the basic principles of democracy. Welcome to Mehbooba,” he said.
I’m glad to hear that @MehboobaMufti Sahiba has been released after more than a year in detention. His continued detention was a parody and was against the basic principles of democracy. Welcome to Mehbooba.
– Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 13, 2020
Last year, the center detained political leaders (or arrested them), flooded the Kashmir Valley with troops, and imposed an internet blackout that lasted for several months.
In November, the measures were justified before a permanent parliamentary commission; they were described as a “necessary movement” in anticipation of violence in the region.
Union Interior Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla told the committee that political leaders such as Omar Abdullah and Ms Mufti were confined in light of “inflammatory statements made against the center” in the past.
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