Srinagar, Oct 20 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Monday quashed the preventive detention of social activist Waqar H Bhatti from Rajouri, calling the order “arbitrary” and issued “without proper consideration.” Bhatti had been in custody for nearly eight months under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

Justice M.A. Chowdhary noted that the detaining authority had not informed Bhatti of his right to contest the order, nor provided him with complete material relied upon for the detention. The judgment pointed out that the grounds cited were largely drawn from police records, showing no independent assessment by officials.

The court further observed that Bhatti had not been supplied the records in an understandable manner, denying him a fair chance to respond.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelOne of the cited FIRs, registered in 2018, had already resulted in his acquittal, the judgment added.

Following the ruling, Bhatti was released from District Jail Kathua. His wife, Roohi Bhatti, expressed relief, saying the family had endured a long wait since his detention in February and welcomed the restoration of his freedom.

The High Court directed that Bhatti be freed immediately unless he is required in connection with any other case, underscoring the importance of personal liberty and procedural safeguards under the Constitution.(KNS)