Interim orders on journalist’s plea in force till further orders: HC

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 24: High Court today directed the interim orders passed by the Court to the plea of journalist Gowhar Nazir Geelani, who is facing charges registered against him under unlawful activities act, shall remain in force till further orders.
The Court last week had directed the police not to adopt any kind of coercive method against the journalist Geelani during investigation in FIR registered against him.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey while hearing the plea filed by Geelani for quashing the FIR registered against him said the interim direction as passed earlier shall remain in force till further orders.
Journalist Geelani was booked under stringent anti-terror law for his social media post terming these posts as seditious, incendiary and incriminating and for inciting violence and subsequently FIR was registered by Cyber Police State Kashmir for committing offences under unlawful activities Act.
It is recorded by the Court that the petitioner has not shown any reluctance in remaining present with the investigating authority as such had directed for not adhering any kind of coercive mode and method against him till next date of hearing.
Since the investigation in the FIR is under way for the last more than two months and seemingly the petitioner has not shown any unwillingness in appearing before the investigating authority prompted the court to grant him interim relief till the matter is decided finally.
Geelani’s petition filed through his counsel Soleh Peerzada seeking quashing of FIR is already pending before the court and during the pendency of the said case the investigation of FIR has been transferred to Police station Sadder Srinagar on April 22. Inspector General of Police Kashmir has issued an order on April 22 whereby the investigation of the case has been transferred to Police Station Sadder, Srinagar.
Questioning the transfer of investigation of FIR, he has filed a separate petition through his counsel on various grounds.