J&K govt says claims of Soz detention false, SC closes case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed the habeas corpus petition filed by senior Congress leader and former Union minister Saifuddin Soz’s wife challenging his detention order. The Jammu & Kashmir administration informed the apex court that Soz was not placed under detention.

A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, Vineet Saran and M.R. Shah disposed the plea stating that the counter affidavit filed by the Jammu & Kashmir administration said that there was no restriction on Soz’s movements.

“The averments in the present petition, in respect to house arrest/detention of Prof Saifuddin Soz are false, frivolous and baseless, as he has not been detained at all, let alone under the provisions of Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act, as alleged in the petition under reply,” said the J&K administration.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Soz, argued on the contradictory stand of the government. Singhvi insisted that one fine day in August, the government put him under detention, and in the counter affidavit said he is not under detention.

Justice Mishra replied that the affidavit stated that he had travelled outside of J&K. Singhvi contended that his client was not well, and he had only travelled for medical reasons. “It is submitted that the petitioner has attempted to mislead this court by placing unsubstantiated and wrong facts of his alleged detention before this court… it is respectfully submitted that no restriction whatsoever has ever been imposed on the movement of Prof Soz, who is a categorised protectee,” said the counter affidavit.

The bench said in view of the reply filed, the plea is disposed of. “We will not entertain it any further,” said the top court.

With IANS inputs