Jammu and Kashmir High Court Summons Srinagar DC Over PSA Detention Orders

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the lack of application of mind while issuing preventive detention orders under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The court issued direct summons to the Srinagar Deputy Commissioner (DC) to appear in person with the original case records.

A bench led by Justice Waseem Sadiq Nargal was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Zubair Amin Bangloo. The Srinagar DC had issued detention orders against Bangloo over allegations of supporting terrorist elements. However, the petitioner's counsel argued that the allegations lacked clarity and concrete material.

Justice Nargal expressed concern over the vague nature of the allegations and the lack of specific details in the detention grounds. The court questioned the Srinagar DC for reproducing the police dossier verbatim without any independent evaluation.

The judge noted internal contradictions in the framing of the detention order and criticized the official handling of the case. The court directed the Srinagar DC to appear personally and explain how he arrived at satisfaction based on the police dossier. The bench then adjourned the matter for further hearing.