On 24 March, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has revoked the detention of former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who has been in detention since 5 August 2019, following the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 and converted Jammu and Kashmir into a union territory.
The government’s spokesperson Rohit Kansal took to Twitter declaring “Govt issues orders revoking detention of Shri Omar Abdullah.”
This recent development follows a directive issued by the Supreme Court earlier on 18 March, while hearing a petition filed by Omar’s sister Sara Pilot. The honorable apex court has reportedly asked the authorities of Jammu and Kashmir to take instructions on whether they intend to release Abdullah.
Subsequently, the Court adjourned a habeas corpus petition filed by Omar Abdullah’s sister, Sara Pilot on 10 February, challenging her brother’s detention under Public Safety Act. Sara in her petition contended that her brother’s detention is purely based on political reasons and argued that the dossier “contains patently false and ridiculous material, essentially accusing the detenu of becoming a popular figure among general masses and possessing considerable influence over people.”
Omar Abdullah, and other Jammu and Kashmir political leaders, including his father Farooq Abdullah, were detained in the wake of the Central Government’s move to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution of India in August last year. Farooq Abdullah was released by the Government earlier this month. However, Peoples Democratic Party’s president and former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, continues to remain under detention.
As per sources, Omar in his eight-month-long detention has not trimmed his beard, as a mark of protest against scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
