HC issues notice to Govt on Lone’s detention

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: High Court today issued notice and sought reply from the Government to the plea of Hilal Akbar Lone son of senior Leader National Conference and sitting Member Parliament Mohammad Akbar Lone, seeking liberty from the house detention.
Justice Rajesh Bindal after hearing the Lone’s counsel Shujaul Haq through virtual mode issued notice to Principal Secretary Home, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Director General of Police J&K, Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar and SHO Sumbal for filing of reply to the plea of Lone by or before August 14.
Advocate Haq informed the Court that the Lone is an advocate by profession and was under continuous detention since August 6 last year and was there after detain under PSA on February 2 this year.
The detention of Lone, advocate Haq submitted before the court has, however, been revoked on June 18 but since from that date he has been put under illegal and unauthorized house detention by the authorities without any formal order or communication as he is associated with National Conference.
The counsel appearing for Lone has prayed that Lone be produced before the Court by the authorities and upon his production, he be set at liberty.
It has been pleaded that the petitioner-Lone was appointed as Deputy Advocate General of the erstwhile State of J&K in the year 2009 and subsequently promoted as Additional Advocate General in the year 2012.
“That since the authorities have neither disclosed the authority of law vide which the petitioner has been detained since June 18 nor they have issued any order on the subject till date, therefore the petitioner has no other option left with him except to seek indulgence of this court”, reads the petition.
Lone also seeks compensation of Rs 1 Crore from the Government of J&K for putting him under illegal house detention since June 18.