Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti charged under Public Safety act: Sources

SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, under arrest for the last six months, have been charged under the Public Safety Act - a stringent law that allows detention without trial for up to three months, sources told NDTV on Thursday.

Requesting not to be named, a senior police officer told NDTV that a District Magistrate has signed detention warrants against Mr Abdullah and Ms Mufti.

Omar Abdullah's father, Farooq Abdullah was charged under the same law last September and has been under house arrest since August as well. The 83-year-old politician was charged with "disturbing public order" under the law, which means shorter detention of three months.

Hundreds of politicians including the Abdullahs and Mehbooba Mufti were detained or arrested in August as part of the centre's massive clampdown after its decision to end special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the constitution and split it into two union territories.

Using the PSA against Farooq Abdullah was the first instance of the law being used against a mainstream politician, especially an MP and a three-time Chief Minister. Usually, it has been used to arrest terrorists, separatists or stone-throwers.

Courtesy: NDTV