Jammu: (Azadi Times) The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, operating under the disputed authority of India, has declared the detention of two individuals under the Public Safety Act as illegal. The ruling was made on July 26, 2023, and according to Kashmir Media Service, the bench, which included Justice M.A. Choudhary, ordered the immediate release of Fahim Ahmad Chak and Mushtaq Ahmad Butt.
The Public Safety Act is a law that allows authorities to detain individuals without a trial for up to two years, and it has been criticized by human rights organizations as a tool for suppressing dissent in the region. The court’s decision to declare the detention of Chak and Butt as illegal is a significant blow to the Indian government’s use of this controversial law.
The court’s ruling is likely to be seen as a victory by Kashmiri activists who have long campaigned against the use of the Public Safety Act and other repressive measures by Indian authorities in the region. It is also likely to increase tensions between the Indian government and Kashmiri separatists, who have been seeking independence from India for decades.
The release of Chak and Butt is expected to be a relief for their families and supporters, who have been calling for their release since their detention. However, the broader issue of human rights abuses and political repression in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to remain a contentious issue, both within the region and internationally.