Srinagar: The J&K High Court has quashed detention order under Public Safety Act against Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi and her aide Faheemda Sofi and ordered authorities to release them forthwith from the preventive detention.
The ruling PDP-BJP government had booked ailing Asiya and Sofi under the PSA, described as a “lawless law” by the Amnesty International, in May this year.
Asiya Andrabi and Fahmeeda Sofi were first lodged in Baramulla and were later shifted to Kotbalwal and then Amphala jail Jammu.
After hearing both the sides, a single bench of the court comprising Justice M K Hanjura allowed the petition filed by Asiya and quashed the order of detention (bearing No. DMS/ PSA/01/2017 dated 9 May 2017), passed by District Magistrate Srinagar. The court directed the government to release her forthwith from the preventive custody. The court also quashed detention order under PSA against Sofi Fahmeeda and ordered her release.
A severe asthma patient, Asiya Andrabi, was admitted in chest and disease hospital Srinagar. She also suffers from arthritis. Asiya and Sofi were brought to Srinagar from Jammu to attend hearing of a case before a local court here.
Asiya and Sofi have been detained many a times under PSA in the past. The high court has on all the occasions quashed the detention orders and ordered their release.
