The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued a notice to the union territory administration in response to a petition filed by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. This petition concerns his house arrest, which has been ongoing since August 2019.
Mirwaiz Farooq’s lawyer, Nazir Ahmad Ronga said that the court has granted the administration four weeks to submit its response.
In his writ petition before the high court, the separatist leader seeks an order or direction for his release from what he claims is “illegal and unauthorized detention.” He asserts that he has been under house arrest at his residence in Nigeen without any legal order or authority.
The writ petition also calls upon the high court to issue an appropriate order directing the administration to lift the siege around Mirwaiz Farooq’s house in Nigeen Hazratbal. Additionally, it requests that he be permitted to deliver his Friday sermons and lead the Friday religious prayers at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, Srinagar. The petition emphasizes the removal of any obstacles to Mirwaiz’s daily life and free movement as a citizen, allowing him to exercise the freedoms and liberties guaranteed under the Constitution.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been under house arrest since August 2, 2019, which was a day before the central government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir State and reorganized it into two union territories.