PDP President Mehbooba Mufti Released From Detention

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti released from detention after 14 months. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti were released by the state government on Tuesday after 14 months.

The petition filed in the Supreme Court for the release of Mehbooba was to be heard on October 15. Mehbooba’s release is being seen as a major step of the central government towards the resumption of political activities in the state.

Panchayat by-elections will be held soon in the state.

Mehbooba was taken into custody on the morning of August 5, 2019, by the state administration as a precautionary measure in view of the implementation of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act.

Subsequently, in February this year, she was imprisoned under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Her daughter Iltija Mufti also confirmed her mother’s release, saying that Mehbooba Mufti’s custody ended on Tuesday. I am grateful to those who supported me in this difficult time.

The release of Mehbooba has also been confirmed by Rohit Kansal, spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir State Administration. He said that the PDP president has been released. 15 days ago, while hearing the petition of his daughter Iltija for the release of Mehbooba.

The Supreme Court had asked the Jammu and Kashmir State Administration whether the imprisonment of the former Chief Minister can be extended beyond one year under the Public Safety Act.

If it can be extended, how long is it being considered to be extended? The court gave the state administration two weeks to present its case. The case was to be heard on 15 October.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that ‘I am happy to hear that Mehbooba Mufti is being released. Mehbooba has been released after more than a year in custody. Her continued detention was a traitorous step and was against the basic principles of democracy.