The family of former Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah went to the Supreme Court yesterday in a bid to overturn his detention under a law allowing incarceration for up to two years without charge.
According to police, the case against Abdullah was mainly that he has used “dirty politics” while another former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, held under the law was a “daddy’s girl”.
Abdullah and Mufti were among hundreds of politicians and activists detained after the government stripped Kashmir’s autonomy in August last year.
It imposed a tough security clampdown with Internet and phones cut for months.
Last week authorities ordered the two held under the Public Safety Act, condemned by rights groups because those accused can be held for up to two years without appearing in court.
Abdullah’s sister, Sarah Abdullah Pilot, moved a Supreme Court petition against his detention which listed the reasons the former chief minister was held.
He was accused of “resorting to his dirty politics” and “instigating and provoking general masses” against the Indian government.
The police dossier also said Abdullah’s influence was a threat because he was “able to convince the electorate to come out and vote in huge numbers even during peak militancy and poll boycotts.”
Sara Abdullah termed the February 5 order under PSA unconstitutional, and said it also blatantly violates fundamental rights.
The petition filed by Kapil Sibal on her behalf, said, “When her brother’s release was imminent, the petitioner has shockingly learnt about his new detention under the provisions of the Public Safety Act (under which their father also remains detained), which could have no application to one who has anyway been in custody over several months in a state that was under a complete lockdown.”
“An overview upon the activities of Omar Abdullah suggests that his ideology is favouring radical thoughts which has also turned into actions,” the dossier said.
It states that despite the fact that Abdullah has been a mainstream politician, he has been planning and projecting his activities against India under the guise of politics and while enjoying the support of “gullible masses” he has been successful in executing such activities.
“After revocation of Article 370 and 35 A in order to secure support of common people Omar removed all covers and curtains while resorting to his dirty politics,” the dossier stated.
It said that Abdullah has been creating an environment of public disorder across Kashmir.
“The conduct of subject has resulted in fanning the emotions of general masses against the Union of India by way of instigating public with Twitter posts/Facebook against the unity and integrity of the Nation,” it stated.
The dossier justifying Mufti’s extended detention calls her a “Daddy’s girl”, referring to her late father Mufti Mohamed Sayeed, who was also a chief minister.
Mufti was “a hard headed and scheming person” whose action ranged from “speeches glorifying militants to creating fears among (the) majority population based on cheap politics.”
Mufti, who had ruled the state in alliance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was also accused of working with separatists.
The government faced new criticism following the release of the dossier.
“Since when has being a ‘Daddy’s girl’ and encouraging people to vote become a crime against the nation?” wrote Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, on Twitter.
Abdullah and Mufti are among scores of Kashmiris still held under the PSA, which had previously been mostly used against militant separatists opposed to Indian rule.
Abdullah’s father, Farooq Abdullah, a member of the parliament and also former state chief minister, is also held along with politicians, business leaders, lawyers and separatist activists.
Meanwhile, another group of envoys from different geographical regions will visit Jammu and Kashmir later this week.
Official sources said since the last visit of envoys to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir last month, the government has received several requests from diplomats from around the world for a visit.