SC judge recuses from hearing plea challenging Omar detention

Supreme Court judge Justice M.M. Shantanagoudar on Wednesday recused himself from hearing a petition filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act.

A bench headed by Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M.M. Shantanagoudar took up the plea for hearing. At the outset of the hearing, Justice Shantanagoudar said "I am not participating in this matter." The bench said the plea is likely to come up for hearing on Thursday.

Omar Abdullah's sister on Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging his fresh detention order under Public Safety Act.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal sought an urgent hearing in the matter, and the top court agreed to consider this request.

Omar's sister termed the February 5 order under PSA as "unconstitutional", and said it blatantly violates fundamental rights.

Sara Abdullah Pilot, in the petition, said when her brother's release was imminent, "the petitioner has shockingly learnt about his new detention under the provisions of the Public Safety Act (under which their father also remains detained), which could have no application to one who has anyway been in custody over several months in a state that was under a complete lockdown."

Sara has urged the apex court to issue writ in the nature of Habeas Corpus commanding the authorities concerned to produce "the person of the detenue forthwith before this Hon'ble Court for being set at liberty."

Sara contended that apart from the obvious fact that her brother had disagreement with the policies of the Centre, it is a lawful right of a citizen in a democracy (especially to a member of the opposition), it is submitted that all such observations were not supported by any material whether in the form of social media posts or otherwise.

"There exists overwhelming evidence in the form of tweets and public statements made by the detenue prior to this detention that point towards the exemplary conduct of the detenue wherein the detenue as a votary of peace and public order has repeatedly requested general people to maintain peace and tranquillity," said Sara in her petition.-IANS