Omar Abdullah was released in March (archive)
New Delhi:
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday welcomed the release of his political rival Mehbooba Mufti, who had been in detention since August 5 last year, when the Center announced its massive decisions. : revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and the bifurcation of the then state into two Union territories. The leader of the National Conference said his arrest was a “parody” and against the “principles of democracy.”
“I am pleased to learn that Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba has been released after more than a year in detention. Her continued detention was a sham and was against the basic principles of democracy. Welcome to Mehbooba,” he tweeted.
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
Abdullah was also among dozens of politicians detained by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, a day before the Center announced its decisions in parliament.
In February this year, Abdullah and Mufti had been charged under the Public Security Act, a strict law that allows detention without trial for up to three months and multiple extensions.
Abdullah was released by the administration in late March. Since then, he has been demanding the release of Ms Mufti.
“It is callous and cruel to continue to detain Mehbooba Mufti and others at a time like this (COVID-19 outbreak). There was never much justification to detain everyone in the first place and none to keep them detained as the country enters a three-hour lockdown. weeks. I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases them, “he tweeted a day after his release.
Ms. Mufti’s release comes just as the deadline set by the Supreme Court expired.
In September, the court questioned the central government and the J&K administration about his detention, asking them: “How long can Mehbooba Mufti remain in custody?”
The high court gave the Jammu and Kashmir administration two weeks to rule on how long Ms Mufti can be kept in custody and whether her custody can be extended beyond one year.
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