HC issues notice, seeks reply on Mirwaiz’s house arrest

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 15: High Court today issued notice to the Government on the plea filed by Chairman Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq seeking his release from house arrest.
Justice Rajnesh Oswal after hearing the petitioner-Counsel N A Ronga on the plea issued notice to Chief Secretary, Secretary Home, District Magistrate Srinagar, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone, Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar and SHO Nigeen, Srinagar for their reply to the plea of petitioner-Umar by or before October 4.
Petitioner further seeks that the siege of armed personnel deployed outside his residential house at Nigeen Hazratbal, Srinagar be lifted and IGP Kashmir Zone be directed to release him from illegal and unauthorized detention.
“The court may direct the authorities to allow the petitioner to deliver his Friday sermons and lead the Friday religious prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar and not to create any impediment into his day to day life including his free movement”, he prays.
It has been contended in the plea that he has been detained by the authorities particularly IGP Kashmir as a large contingent of police forces and their vehicles have been deployed outside on both sides of his house which has made his life more miserable.
A representation as per the plea was served upon the authorities by the petitioner for redressal of his legitimate grievances and for seeking his release from the illegal confinement but the authorities have shown their stubbornness and indifferent approach and did not allow him to come out of his house for the last 4 years without any detention order from the competent authority.