Jammu and Kashmir HC quashes Masarat Alam's detention under Public Safety Act

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday quashed the detention under Public Safety Act (PSA) of hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam who was arrested in April for allegedly hoisting Pakistani flags and chanting anti-national slogans. [caption id=“attachment_2402622” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Masarat Alam. AFP[/caption] Justice Hasnain Masoodi, who had earlier reserved order on the petition filed by Alam’s counsel, quashed the PSA detention of the 45-year-old separatist leader. Alam was arrested on 17 April in connection with the raising of Pakistani flags and chanting of anti-national slogans during a rally organised by hardline Hurriyat Conference to welcome Syed Ali Shah Geelani from New Delhi. Police had registered a case against several separatist leaders including Bhat and Hurriyat Conference chairman Geelani for provocative activities including hoisting of Pakistani flag. An FIR under sections 13 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 120-B, 147, 341, 336, 427 RPC was registered in Budgam Police Station against Alam and other separatist leaders. Alam was released in March - soon after the PDP-led government came to power - after over four years of detention in connection with the 2010 summer agitation in the valley. His release had created a furore across the country and the issue had even figured in the Parliament proceedings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making a statement on the floor of the house. PTI