Court quashes Hurriyat leader's detention

The Jammu and Kashmir high court has quashed the detention order of senior Hurriyat Conference-Geelani leader Masarat Alam under the Public Safety Act. The court directed the authorities to release Masarat, if he was not sought in any other case. However, official sources said Masarat, chairman of the Muslim League, a constituent of Hurriyat, will have to appear in a lower court on Wednesday in connection with another case.

Masarat was arrested in April last year after he and other leaders of different Hurriyat constituents participated in a public meeting addressed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Masarat was later booked under Section 13 of the PSA for a period of one year. However, he was again booked under the PSA despite court orders for his release.

The Hurriyat leader later challenged his detention in the court. Justice Hakeem Imtiyaz Hussain, after hearing the arguments from both the sides, observed that Masarat's detention order was questionable and directed the state government to release him provided he was not required in any other case.