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Release detenue accused of plot to kill J&K CM: HC

May 13, 2008 14:57 IST

The Jammu and Kashmir high court has quashed the detention of a person under the Public Safety Act for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to kill Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

A single bench comprising Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain quashing the detention of Abdul Rashid said the order of the detention was not sustainable.

Release the detenue forthwith if he is not involved in any other case, the court directed the state government.

The state police had claimed to have arrested Rashid and others who had allegedly foiled a militant plan to kill Azad during a public meeting in Ramban on April 12, 2007.

The arrest of Rashid and others evoked massive demonstrations in the area as people alleged that all those detained by the police were innocents.

However, Rashid was booked under PSA.

The detention was challenged in the court of the chief judicial magistrate, Ramban.

The CJM after hearing the counsel from both sides acquitted Rashid after the prosecution failed to prove the charges.

However, he was again booked under PSA, which was challenged in the high court.

After hearing prosecution and defence counsels, the court ordered his release.

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