Court seeks response from Govt over Mirwaiz’s house detention

SRINAGAR — Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has said that the High Court has “reluctantly” given one week’s time to the Jammu and Kashmir Government to file its response to a petition over Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq’s house detention.

The court stated that reluctantly and in the interest of justice, one week’s time as prayed for is granted for doing the needful, which however, shall be the last and final opportunity. The court listed the matter for March 6 and made it clear, if a reply is not filed, then the matter will be heard on the next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, Anujam Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has said that after Mirwaiz’s release in September 2023 after four years of ‘arbitrary’ house detention, he was only allowed to attend three consecutive Friday congregations in Jamia Masjid following the release.

“Since then, Mirwaiz has been prevented from going to Jamia Masjid on Fridays or addressing the faithful in any other mosque on religious congregations as the Mirwaiz,” it said.

“Whenever the Anjuman approached the authorities, they have dilly-dallied on the response, saying they will check with their higher-ups and get back, which they never do,” the Auqaf said.

It added, “Recently despite the important religious occasion of Shab-e-Miraj, Mirwaiz was again not allowed to go to Jamia Masjid. As the holy and important month of Ramzan is approaching when there are multiple religious events and congregations planned for Molvi Umar Farooq as the Mirwaiz, this approach of the authorities is concerning.”