Srinagar, Feb 6: The family of senior separatist leader Dr Muhammad Qasim Faktoo, who has completed over 17-years in prison, has accused the Government of extending his detention period to settle political scores.    
 Faktoo’s family said despite serving life imprisonment and recommendation of his release by the Government’s Review Board, the authorities have not released him. “Dr Qasim’s continuous detention is sheer violation of law. He has already completed his sentence and Government has no grounds to keep him in the Jail. On the other hand, 305 convicts who had completed 14- years of imprisonment were released on January 26 across India. This clearly shows that Dr Qasim is being detained to settle political scores,” Dr Qasim’s brother, Ajaz Ahmad told Greater Kashmir. 
 He said the Government constituted the Review Board comprising the then DGP Prisons and Principal District and Sessions Judge Srinagar to consider Dr Qasim’s release under the provision of JK Jail Manual, 2000.
  “After perusal of relevant records, the board had maintained that Dr Qasim had served 14-years in prison and therefore he could be considered for premature release. But the CID department in its report to the Financial Commissioner, Home had maintained that the Review Board had erroneously considered the matter which was outside its scope,” he said.
 He said in violation of the Court orders, Dr Qasim was shifted to Joint Interrogation Centre last year and allegedly subjected to harassment.
 “He is suffering from various ailments including duodenal ulceration and disc deformation. He is also losing his eyesight and has been advised by an ophthalmologist to go for immediate surgery at AIIMS in New Delhi. But the authorities have denied him the treatment,” he said.           
 He said soon after assuming power, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had assured to review Dr Qasim’s case. “But despite passing of over 2-years, the case has not been reviewed. Which law allows not to release a convict sentenced to life imprisonment even passing of 14 years? But we have full faith in the judiciary and are hopeful to get justice,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST