J&K HC quashes Geelani’s detention, orders his release

Hurriyat Conference Chairman of hardline faction Syed Ali Shah Geelani addressing a press conference at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has quashed the detention under Public Safety Act (PSA) of ailing chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani and ordered his release forthwith.

Justice Hakim Imtiyaz in an order issued on Tuesday quashed Geelani’s detention under the PSA, which was slapped upon him on July 18 while he was undergoing treatment at Soura Medical Institute and directed the authorities to release him forthwith.

Mr. Geelani has been under detention since June 7. One of the charges levelled against him in the PSA was that he spearheaded the agitation against the rape and murder of Asiya (17) and her sister-in-law Neelofer (22) in Shopian on May 30.

Since his detention, 77-year-old Geelani has been lodged in a forest hut in Cheshmashahi in the city, which has been converted into a sub—jail.

The ailing Hurriyat leader has also sought bail in five old cases registered against him in different police stations in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Justice Hakim Imtiyaz reserved his judgement into the petition challenging the detention of another Hurriyat leader and close associate of Geelani, Ghulam Nabi Sumji under the PSA.