Days ahead of the first anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, the Jammu and Kashmir Administration has extended the detention of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti under the stringent Public Safety Act by another three months.

The petition challenging her (Mehbooba Mufti’s) unlawful detention has been pending in the Supreme Court since February 26. Where does one seek justice? — Iltija Mufti, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter

The move came hours after Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone was freed from nearly a yearlong detention. “The law-enforcing agencies recommended further extension in the period of detention, and on examination, the same is considered to be necessary… the government hereby directs that the period of detention of Mehbooba Mufti be extended for a period of three months and she may be lodged at subsidiary jail Fairview, Gupkar Road, Srinagar,” the order issued by the Home Department read.

Mufti, who is lodged at her Gupkar home, is the only top leader who continues to be under detention after special status was scrapped and J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories. Her daughter Iltija, who has been running her Twitter handle, said a petition challenging her detention was pending in the Supreme Court.

Mufti was detained along with Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and scores of politicians on August 5 last year.

Earlier, Sajad Lone was released from house detention. Lone was taken into custody ahead of the August 5 decision last year. He was released in February, but put under house detention.

“Finally, five days short of a year I have been officially informed that I am a free man. So much has changed. So have I. Earlier, confinement used to be harsh with usual doses of physical torture. But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon,” Lone tweeted soon after his release.

Courtesy: Daily Tribune:  1st August, 2020