The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Srinagar has quashed the preventive detention of a Shopian resident under the Public Safety Act (PSA), holding that the detention order was based on vague and unsupported allegations and suffered from a lack of independent application of mind by the detaining authority.

A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Muhammad Yousuf Wani passed the judgment on August 6, 2026, allowing a Letters Patent Appeal filed by Abdul Basit Paul of Chotipora, Shopian, against the dismissal of his habeas corpus petition by the Writ Court.

Paul had been detained pursuant to detention order No. 191/DMS/PSA/2024, dated September 12, 2024, issued by the District Magistrate, Shopian, under Section 8 of the PSA. The grounds of detention alleged that he was providing shelter and logistical support, including food, transportation and information, to members of banned outfits and was in contact with handlers based across the border.

The High Court observed that the allegations were not supported by any FIR or even entries in the relevant police station registers. The Bench found the allegations concerning the alleged provision of shelter and logistical assistance to be general, vague and lacking specific supporting material.

In a significant observation, the court said the grounds of detention appeared to be a "ditto" or "verbatim" reproduction of the police dossier, which indicated non-application of mind by the detaining authority.

The Bench held that while a police dossier may constitute the basic material for a preventive detention order, the detaining authority is required to independently examine and assess the material before arriving at the subjective satisfaction necessary to curtail a person's liberty.

The court further observed that the grounds of detention must contain specific and verifiable allegations so that the detenue is placed in a position to make an effective representation. It held that detention based on vague and unsupported allegations could infringe the fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The Bench also found deficiencies in the supply of material to the detenue. It observed that the complete set of documents relied upon for passing the detention order had not been furnished at the earliest, and that the detenue had not been clearly informed of his right to make a representation to the detaining authority and the government.

The court held that these lapses violated the constitutional safeguards under Article 22(5) and stressed that preventive detention, involving the curtailment of personal liberty, requires authorities to act with great care and caution.

Consequently, the Division Bench set aside the November 14, 2025 judgment of the Writ Court and quashed detention order No. 191/DMS/PSA/2024 dated September 12, 2024.

The court directed that Abdul Basit Paul of Chotipora, Shopian, be released from preventive detention, provided he is not involved in any other case.

KISHTWAR — The water level in the Chenab River may rise by around 2 to 3 metres from Sunday evening as NHPC's Dulhasti Power Station has scheduled mandatory periodic silt flushing of the Dul Dam reservoir.

According to NHPC Dulhasti Power Station, the silt flushing operation will begin at 8 pm on August 9 and continue until 6 pm on August 10.

The power station has cautioned residents living along the Chenab River to remain particularly vigilant during the operation, as the release of water from the dam may cause a sudden rise in the river's water level.

The public has been advised to pay close attention to the warning siren sounded before water is released from the Dulhasti Power Station and strictly follow instructions displayed on warning boards installed along the riverbank.

People have specifically been asked to stay away from the riverbanks during the period and refrain from activities including fishing, extraction of sand or wood and crossing the river except through designated bridges.

NHPC also cautions residents against allowing cattle to graze near the riverbanks during the silt flushing operation.

SRINAGAR — The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) on Saturday conducted simultaneous searches at multiple locations across Kashmir in connection with a 2023 case registered under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, officials said.

The searches were carried out in several districts, including Anantnag, Shopian, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora, as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged online activities and recruitment-related offences.

During a search at Hiller Shahabad in Anantnag, CIK sleuths seized two digital devices, according to officials. The devices have been taken into custody and are expected to be examined for evidence relevant to the case.

The raids are linked to FIR No. 03/2023, registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Sections 505 and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

According to officials, the case concerns alleged misuse of online platforms to promote prohibited activities and influence individuals to join banned militant organisations.

Officials said further examination of the seized material is expected to determine the nature and extent of the alleged activities. The investigation remains underway.