Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, the Jammu & Kashmir administration on Friday extended the detention of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti by three more months while People’s Conference chairman Sajjad Lone walked free, five days short of completing one year in detention.
Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba, confirmed the news by posting a tweet, “I would like to confirm media reports that Mufti’s PSA has been extended until November 2020. The petition challenging her unlawful detention has been pending in SC since February 26. Where does one seek justice”?
Majority of senior PDP leaders have been freed from detention in recent weeks but the Home Department on Friday decided to extend her detention order.
According to an order issued by the Home Department, Mehbooba will continue to remain under detention for another three months at her official residence at Fairview Bungalow.
“The law enforcing agencies have recommended further extension in the period of detention and on examination, the same is considered to be necessary,” the detention order stated.
The current detention order of the former Chief Minister was expiring on August 5 this year.
Sharing the news on Twitter, Lone said, “Finally 5 days short of a year I have been officially informed that I am a free man.”
“So much has changed. So have I. Jail was not a new experience. Earlier ones were harsh with usual doses of physical torture. But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon,” he added.
Lone was earlier released from MLA hostel in Srinagar in February this year, where he was detained along with several other politicians.
Lone was shifted to his residence where he was placed under house arrest.