Srinagar, June 8: Police on Tuesday released Muslim League Chairman Masrat Alam after 21 months in custody. Masrat has been granted bail by Principal District and Sessions Court here.
 The Court of Gous-un-Nisa directed the State to release Masrat, who was in judicial custody at Central Jail Srinagar. Masrat is facing trial under Section 120 B, 121 A RPC, 2/3 Official Secrets Act and under Section 13, 18 Unlawful Assembly Act in an FIR registered at police station Counter Insurgency Kashmir here. Court asked Masrat to tender surety bond of Rs 20,000 and granted interim bail to him for three days.
 Gous-un-Nisa asked the accused to remain present before the court on June 12. The Court also asked him not to leave the territorial jurisdiction of the court without obtaining prior permission. “The accused will not try to hamper or tamper with the prosecution witnesses,” it said.
 On May 21, the accused through his counsel Sajad Ahmad filed an application before the Court seeking bail.
 Sajad said a High Court Bar Association team today went to Central Jail and furnished the bail order to SP Jail. Sajad said Central Jail authorities released Masrat and handed him to his family.
 Masrat Alam was first booked under Public Safety Act in September 2008 after Amarnath land agitation. The High Court had quashed his sixth PSA on January 1, 2010, and ordered his release from Central Jail Srinagar on the same day. However, that order was never implemented by the State.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir, Masrat said, “The sense of slavery and deprivation pervades in and outside the jails. However, with party workers and family I feel a bit relaxed.”

Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST