J-K High Court issues notice to administration over house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

The writ petition also requests the high court that it may issue an appropriate writ or order asking the administration to lift the siege outside the separatist leader's house at Nigeen Hazratbal.

Srinagar(Jammu and Kashmir): In response to a plea filed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, about his house arrest since August 2019, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has on Friday issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration.

The single-bench of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, after admitting the plea (WP(C) - 2400/2023) filed by the senior advocate N. A. Ronga on behalf of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, directed the Chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir (respondent) to file Jammu and Kashmir's administration's response within four weeks. The court has also fixed October 4, 2023, as the next hearing date on the matter.

"The petitioner, Mirwaiz has been detained/house arrest at his Nigeen residence without any order or authority in law. The separatist leader has filed a writ petition in the high court seeking an order, or direction, upon the respondents (J&K administration) to release the petitioner from illegal and unauthorised detention," Advocate Ronga said.

He said, "The petition further asks the high court to issue a suitable writ or order directing the government to end the siege outside the home of the separatist leader in Nigeen Hazratbal, Srinagar."

“It also submits that he be allowed to deliver his Friday sermons and lead the Friday religious prayers at Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta Srinagar, and removal of any impediments into the day-to-day life of the Mirwaiz, including his free movement as a citizen, and allow him to avail the freedom and liberty guaranteed under the Constitution,” the petition said.

Interestingly, since August 2, 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir State's special status was abrogated and was divided into two union territories, Mirwaiz has been under house arrest.