KL Report
Srinagar
After government informed the Supreme Court of India that Public Safety Act (PSA) against Hurriyat (G) and Muslim League leader Masarat Alam Bhat has been revoked on March 18, the fourth additional session’s judge at Srinagar’s Saddar Court sent Bhat on a Judicial custody to Central jail Srinagar till March 25, 2013.
“Bhat was brought for a case registered in 2008 (in police station Rainawari) from Kathua jail on Saturday afternoon. His lawyers had a healthy discussion with the judge,” informed sources in Muslim League said.
In court, the police brought up another challan against Bhat which was filed under FIR 215 of 2010 registered in police station Pattan under sections 148, 149, 332, 336, 307 and 427 RPC.
Pertinently Supreme Court on Friday directed the Jammu and Kashmir government that if it wanted to slap Public Safety Act (PSA) on jailed Hurriyat (G) leader Masrat Aalam Bhat, it must inform him before one week so that he can take legal measures. The Supreme Court was informed by the government that the sixth consecutive PSA against Bhat has been revoked on March 18. Bhat’s family had approached the apex court to challenge the sixth PSA against Masrat in a row.
Earlier on January 11, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Jammu and Kashmir government asking it to explain the reason of continuous imprisonment of Bhat and had given four weeks of deadline to the state government for submitting its response. The SC again heard the case on February 22, and it was fixed for another hearing on March 22.
After his arrest in October 2010, police slapped six PSAs in a row against Bhat. His first five detentions were quashed by the state high court.
It was for the first time that Supreme Court of India passed a direction to the state government asking it to inform the applicant before one week if it has to slap PSA on him.
The pioneer of 2010, mass uprising, Bhat, was arrested on October 2010, after remaining underground for more than four months in order to avoid his arrest. By the time Bhat used to issue protest calendars which were strictly followed by the people. Currently he is undergoing detention in district jail Kuthua.
Bhat is second in command of Muslim League, a constituent of Hurriyat (G), lead by Syed Ali Geelani. Muslim League Chief, Dr Ashiq Hussain Faktoo is undergoing life imprisonment in central jail Srinagar.
