Srinagar, Nov 3:
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Srinagar has quashed the preventive detention order of a Pulwama youth after finding procedural lapses in the application of the Public Safety Act.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, came in response to Habeas Corpus Petition (HCP No. 183/2025) filed by Sajad Ahmad Bhat alias Baaber, son of Abdul Ahad Bhat and resident of Drabgam, Rajpora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The petition, moved through his father-in-law Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, challenged the detention order No. 07/DMP/PSA/25 dated 30 April 2025, issued by the District Magistrate, Pulwama. The petitioner was represented by twin sons of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Advocates Zameer Abdullah and Zahir Abdullah, while the government was represented by Government Advocate Furqaan Yaqoob.
After hearing both sides, the court observed that the detenue had been placed under preventive detention without proper application of mind, and that requisite material had not been supplied to him, thereby depriving him of the constitutional right to make an effective representation.
The court consequently quashed the detention order and directed authorities to release the detenue forthwith, provided he was not required in any other case. [KNT]