Global News

SRINAGAR: The family of a former held Kashmir chief minister went to India’s supreme court on Monday in a bid to overturn his detention under a law allowing incarceration for up to two years without charge.

The case was launched as it was revealed that the police case against Omar Abdullah was mainly that he has used “dirty politics” while another former state leader held under the law was a “daddy’s girl”.

Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were among hundreds of politicians and activists detained after the Indian government stripped held Kashmir’s autonomy in August last year. It imposed a tough security clampdown with internet and phones cut for months.

Last week authorities ordered the two held under the Public Safety Act, condemned by rights groups because those accused can be held for up to two years without appearing in court.

The Indian government faced new criticism following the release of the dossier.

“Since when has being a ‘Daddy’s girl’ and encouraging people to vote become a crime against the nation?” wrote Priyanka Gandhi, a leader of the opposition Congress party, on Twitter.

Abdullah and Mufti are among scores of Kashmiris still held under the PSA, which had previously been mostly used against fighters opposed to Indian rule in held Kashmir.

Abdullah’s father, Farooq Abdullah, a member of the Indian parliament and former chief minister, is also held along with politicians, business leaders, lawyers and activists.