New Delhi: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the issue of the detention of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association President, Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom, is under consideration and soon it will have a reply from the concerned authorities. The court adjourned the matter for hearing on July 27 after Mehta obtained requisite instructions.
The Apex court was hearing a petition challenging the Jammu and Kashmir High Court order upholding Qayoom's detention under the Public Safety Act.
Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for Qayoom objected to the adjournment of the matter and contended before the court that habeas corpus petitions can not be "delayed and dragged in this manner".
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"If required then let the SG secure instructions within 24 hours and the matter be listed tomorrow. Willing to argue on merits," said Dave.
However, the Supreme Court did not accept this and adjourned the matter for hearing later.
In June earlier this year, SC had issued notice to Jammu and Kashmir government and sought its response over the plea. SC had also directed the jail authorities to provide clothes and other essential things to Qayoom.
Qayoom has been in detention since last year August when the Centre modified Article 370. According to him, he is under detention for FIRs registered back in 2008 and 2010 for which he was never arrested or charge-sheeted back then. He was detained once in 2010 but then released. He also claims that there was no prior intimation before his arrest.
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