GK IMPACT: Juvenile justice team seeks immediate release of minor Anantnag boy

Taking cognizance of a Greater Kashmir report, the juvenile justice team has asked the government to consider revocation of the detention order of a minor boy from Anantnag serving detention under Public Safety Act at Jammu jail for seven months. The team has sought his immediate release.

The team in a communication to the principal secretary, home department, writes: “The news item appearing in today’s issue of local daily Greater Kashmir regarding preventive detention of a juvenile namely Umar Yusuf Khan son of Yusuf Khan of Anantnag is shocking , to say the least.” 

   

Greater Kashmir on Tuesday carried a detailed story on the minor and orphan boy suffering from a peculiar nervous disorder, who is serving PSA term in Kathua jail from November last. The story exhibited inset the date of birth certificate of Umar indicating that he was a juvenile.

Police has charged the detainee with leading violent mobs and instigating people to attack the forces with ‘intent to kill’, even though the alleged cases date back to 2016 when he was barely 14.

His detention had come at a time when chief minister Mehbooba Mufti announced much-hyped amnesty offer to the first time offenders.

The juvenile justice team headed by Justice Hassnain Masoodi observed that the district magistrate over-stepped his jurisdiction while ordering the detention and, therefore, violated the JK Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2013. 

The letter raises concern over the lodgement of the detainee more than 300 kilo meters from his home despite he being suffering from a nervous disorder.

“The detainee as the information available would reveal is not only a minor but suffers from a nervous disorder. His continued detention that too 300 kms from his home is bound to adversely affect his health and create negative impact on his mental health that may be irreversible,” it reads.

The team while calling for immediate intervention of the principle home secretary has ordered his immediate release from Kathua jail. 

“The government under section 18(2) of the Act has power to revoke or modify detention order at any time . . . I am of the considered opinion that the case of Umar Yusuf Khan is for more than one reason a fit and appropriate case where the government should . . . revoke the detention order and direct immediate release of Umar Yusuf Khan.

“The matter is of urgent nature and calls for your immediate attention. I would therefore request your goodself to take notice of the matter, consider revoking the detention order against Umar Yusuf Khan and direct his immediate release from Kathua jail in Jammu,” the letter concludes.

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