Srinagar, Feb 19, The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday overturned the detention of journalist Majid Hyderi under the Public Safety Act (PSA), nearly 17 months after his arrest. The ruling, delivered by Justice V. K. Chatterjee, nullified the PSA order, clearing the way for Hyderi’s release.
Hyderi, a well-known journalist and political analyst, was arrested in September 2023 on charges of alleged extortion and defamation. However, concerns were raised by press freedom advocates, who alleged that his arrest was politically motivated and influenced by an influential individual he had written about. Prior to his detention, Hyderi had reported on a person working under mysterious circumstances for a local newspaper, a story that is now believed to have played a role in his legal troubles.
Following his arrest, Hyderi was moved to Kot Bhalwal Jail under the PSA, a law that allows detention without trial for up to two years. His case became a focal point for media rights organizations, who argued that his detention exemplified the growing challenges faced by journalists in Kashmir.
The decision to quash Hyderi’s detention was welcomed by press bodies and legal experts, with his lawyer, Advocate Muhammad Yousuf Bhat, asserting that the PSA was being misused to silence journalists critical of certain individuals or power structures.
Hyderi’s case is not an isolated one. Several Kashmiri journalists have faced arrests, or legal action in recent years, raising concerns over the shrinking space for independent journalism. Press freedom organizations have been calling for greater protection for reporters, emphasizing that a free press is essential for democracy.
