Former Jammu & Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti Released After More Than A Year In Detention

"PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is being released from detention," said Jammu and Kashmir administration spokesperson Rohit Kansal.

(File Photo/ AFP)

Srinagar: After being into custody for over a year, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has been finally released by the state government. "PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is being released from detention," said Jammu and Kashmir administration spokesperson Rohit Kansal. The development comes days after the Supreme Court said detention cannot be forever and asked the Centre whether former J&K Chief Minister's  detention be extended beyond a year.

Ms. Mehbooba Mufti being released @dipr

— Rohit Kansal (@kansalrohit69) October 13, 2020

Fairview, which was Mehbooba Mufti's official residence as the Chief Minister, was declared as a subsidiary jail and she has been lodged there. Mufti was arrested along with two other Chief Ministers, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah on August 5, 2019 when the Constitution's Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated and the state bifurcated and downgraded into two Union Territories. Soon after the announcement for Mufti's release, her daughter Iltija Mufti took to Twitter to thank everyone for their support.

As Ms Mufti’s illegal detention finally comes to an end, Id like to thank everybody who supported me in these tough times. I owe a debt of gratitude to you all. This is Iltija signing off. فی امان اﷲ May allah protect you

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 13, 2020

Earlier in July this year, the Jammu & Kashmir government extended the detention of PDP chief under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for another three months. An order issued by Principal Secretary, Home, Shaleen Kabra, said that in order to prevent her from acting in any manner prejudicial to maintenance of public order, the government directs that the period of detention of Mehbooba Mufti under the PSA be extended for a further period of three months and she may be lodged in subsidiary jail, Fairview, on Gupkar Road. Initially, she was taken into preventive custody. Later on February 5 this year, she was slapped with the PSA.