SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh on 24 March 2026 declared the preventive detention of Javid Ahmad Zargar illegal, restoring him to personal liberty. The order was passed by Justice Rahul Bharti during proceedings at the Srinagar bench.
Zargar, the petitioner, was produced in person from the District Police Line, Jammu, by Sub Inspector Anwar Hussain, in the presence of Dy. SP Nisar Ahmad. The case pertained to Detention Order No. DIVCOM “K”/100/2024 dated 25 April 2024, which the Court described as a “sheer abuse of process of law” initiated by the then Superintendent of Police, Kulgam.
The Court noted that Zargar had already been in custody as an undertrial in connection with FIR No. 182/2023 and had been acquitted on 10 February 2026. Despite this, he was subjected to preventive detention, which the Court observed was taken without informing the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir and lacked any legal basis.
Zargar was represented by Advocate Wajid Haseeb, while the Union Territory of JK and other respondents were represented by Senior AAG Mohsin Qadiri with assisting counsel Maha Majeed. The Court ruled that the petitioner’s fundamental right to personal liberty had been violated and directed his immediate release.
The order also clarified that if Zargar is required in any pending criminal case, legal procedures would continue in accordance with law.
A copy of the judgment is to be provided to the Senior AAG for notice to all concerned, including the Superintendent of Central Jail, Kotbhalwal, Jammu.
