The Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued a Revocation of Detention Order for former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah. He had been taken into custody on August 5, 2019 when the Center abrogated Article 370 revoking special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Abdullah was formally arrested under the provisions of the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) on September 15, 2019 and placed in detention for a period of three months that was extended for another three months first on December 13, 2019 and then again on March 11, 2020.
The revocation order may be viewed here:
After being placed in detention Dr.Abdullah remained incommunicado. The 83-year-old was confined to his home since August 5, 2019. In fact, just before Dr. Abdullah was formally arrested under PSA, MDMK chief and Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko had filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court for asking for his whereabouts.
In his petition Vaiko had stated that he had invited Dr. Abdullah for a conference in Chennai on the occasion of the birthday of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai. However, Vaiko said that despite his efforts, he has not been able to reach Abdullah. Vaiko added that he had written to authorities on August 29 to seek the permission of the Central government as well the Secretary, Home Department, Jammu and Kashmir, to allow Dr. Farooq Abdullah to travel to Chennai but he failed to get a response.
Vaiko also stated, “The refusal of the Respondents to allow Dr. Farooq Abdullah to attend the peaceful and democratic conference organised by the Petitioner is illegal and arbitrary and violative of Articles 21, 22 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.” The petition requested the Supreme Court to pass directions that Dr. Farooq Abdullah be produced before it and be permitted to attend the conference in Chennai.
In November 2019, Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had raised a storm in the house demanding answers about Dr. Abdullah’s detention and well being. Dr. Abdullah’s release is significant given how very few others have been granted their freedom.
In December 2019, five political leaders, all belonging to Nationalist Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were released. They are Ishfaq Jabbar and Ghulam Nabi Bhat (NC), as well as Bashir Mir, Zahoor Mir and Yasir Reshi (PDP). However, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Musfti still remain under detention.