On Monday, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s sister, Sara Abdullah Pilot, moved the Supreme Court to challenge his detention under the Public Safety Act.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by Justice N V Ramana.
Sibal told the bench that they have filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the detention of Abdullah under the PSA and the matter should be heard this week itself. It demands the physical presence of Omar and withdrawing his detention.
The J&K administration had extended Omar Abdullah’s detention citing the ability of the former CM and senior leader of the National Conference, ‘to garner votes even during the peak of militancy and poll boycotts’. The senior leader has been under detention since August 5, 2019, when the Centre abrogated Article 370. Post this, the state of Jammu and Kashmir became a union territory.
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The dossier submitted by Jammu and Kashmir administration said Abdullah harboured radical thoughts.
Refuting that, Sara Pilot has said in her petition 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.”
She has also added that the detenu is accused of convincing people to participate in elections in huge numbers and exercise their democratic right to vote despite threats from militants.
Omar Abdullah was earlier on Thursday booked under the PSA, which allows the administration to detain him without trial for a minimum period of three months and maximum of two years.
It cited Abdullah’s opposition to the Centre’s move on Article 370 and alleged that he was instrumental in inciting people via his Twitter comments. This according to them, was against the unity and integrity of India. His sister, on the other hand, has cited his tweets that ask people to remain calm.