J&K bar association prez to be released

NEW DELHI : The Central government on Wednesday submitted before the Supreme Court that senior advocate and Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom will be released from detention immediately.

Qayoom was detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) on August 5 last year following the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, told a bench of the apex court headed by Justice SK Kaul that Qayoom will be released immediately.

Justice Kaul, who belongs to Kashmir, said that “it is time to build roads for the future. Look for the future... Don’t live in the past, look ahead.” The bench also said that the government should make “all endeavours to bring complete normalcy” in the Union Territory.

Mehta al so accepted t he court’s suggestion that Qayoom will remain in Delhi and not go to Kashmir till August 7 and he will also not issue any statement.

During the hearing, senior advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for Qayoom sought that Qayoom should be released tomorrow so that his family is here to receive him.

Mehta agreed with Dave’s submission.

Earlier, the government had told the Supreme Court that detention of Qayoom will not be extended after August 6, the day when his detention was set to expire. The bench had suggested that Qayoom be released on bail with conditions and asked Mehta to take instructions on its suggestion. Qayoom has challenged in the apex court the J&K high court order upholding his detention under Public Safety Act (PSA).