"How Long This Detention Will Continue?":SC Asks SG To Get Instructions On Plea Challenging Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti's Detention

Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Solicitor General to get instruction on the petition filed by former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti's daughter, Iltija challenging her detention under Public Safety Act.A bench of Justices SK Kaul & Hrishikesh Roy was hearing the petition seeking amendment to the prayers sought in Mufti's habeas corpus petition, which is currently. the Impugned Detention Order in the captioned Writ Petition, but an egregious aggravation thereof" The plea states that The Detention Order of Mufti which was based on stale grounds "have become staler even more" since the Petition was filed and that the Respondent Administration has continued to act with total non application of mind and the malice in law, which has only been "reinforced and aggravated" in confirming and extending the order of detention for further periods. It has been contended that even though the Top Court had issued notice on on the habeas plea moved against the Detention Order dated February 5, passed by the District Magistrate of Srinagar under the Public Safety Act, 1978, against Mufti and had directed the Petitioner to state on affidavit that that to the best of her knowledge no other petition or proceedings has been filed before any forum seeking similar relief, the Respondent Administration has not filed a reply or counter affidavit to the captioned Habeas Corpus Plea. "This bond and surety which she was repeatedly asked to sign, the records would show,interalia included the promise that: "In case of release from detention, I will not make any comment or issue statement or make public speech hold or participate in public assemblies related to the recent events in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, at the present time, since it has the potential of endangering the peace and tranquility and law and order in the State or any part thereof," the plea reads.