After more than four years of being under house detention, Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has filed a motion with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court seeking release from ongoing detention.
In an interview, Mirwaiz stated, “We had sent legal notices to various government officials. They have failed to respond within the allotted time, so our only option was to take legal action.”
He mentioned that the court has requested the government to submit a response regarding his detention within four weeks.
The Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, the governing body of Srinagar’s Grand Mosque, stated on Friday that despite numerous appeals and requests to the authorities, Mirwaiz remains under house arrest since August 4, 2019, when Article 370 was revoked and the state was reorganized into a Union territory.
Although authorities claim he is not detained, Mirwaiz is confined to his home and prohibited from attending Friday sermons at Jamia Masjid. Police and paramilitary personnel stationed outside his residence prevent him from leaving and meeting people.
This action follows statements by JK Lieutenant Governor asserting that Mirwaiz is not restricted in any way and is free to leave, but he was still detained in August 2022 at his Nigeen residence by local police.
Mirwaiz’s petition seeks “orders or directions for my release from unlawful and unauthorized detention,” along with permission to deliver Friday sermons and lead prayers at Jamia Masjid, and removal of any obstacles to his daily life as a citizen.
Various political parties in Kashmir, including NC, PDP, and the People’s Conference, have called for his release over the past four years.
