In 2022, Rameez* had big plans. He wanted to finish his law course and get married to the “love of his life”, until he was arrested in June that year under the Public Safety Act, 1978, as his activities were “highly prejudicial to the maintenance of public order of the state”.
Lodged in a Kashmir prison, Rameez was subsequently sent to jail in Uttar Pradesh. However, last year, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed his detention and ordered his release provided he was not required in any other case. The court observed that the detaining authority had been “unmindful” considering that he was arrested in FIRs lodged in 2010 in which he had already received bail, without any additional charges.
However, despite the order, it took 45 days for Rameez to walk out of prison.
Jail authorities required clearance letters from the administration stating that he was not needed in another case – from the district magistrate who had ordered his detention and J&K home department.
“To obtain these clearances, for 45 days, my 56-year-old father was knocking at the doors of officials,” said Rameez.
This story was originally published in newslaundry.com. Read the full story here.