Advocate Zahid Ali, 30 others shifted to Jammu jails

Srinagar: Authorities on Thursday shifted former Spokesperson of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, Advocate Zahid Ali, along with some 20 prisoners, from Central Jail Srinagar to Kotbalwal Jammu.

Family sources told Kashmir Bylines that Zahid Ali was rearrested on June 30 after being summoned by Police Station Kakapora. He was later booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) and shifted to Central Jail Srinagar.

They said on Thursday morning he was shifted to Kotbalwal Jail in Jammu along with many others.

They further said that, as the norms suggest, jail authorities should have informed them about the decision before shifting him but they did not, violating his fundamental right as a prisoner yet again.

“In view of COVID-19 pandemic and soaring temperatures, we worry about his health. How can we manage to go there and meet him during this lockdown?,” they asked.

It has to be noted that before Jamaat was banned by Ministry of Home Affairs in February last year, Zahid Ali was detained from his residence in Pulwama district’s Nehama village on February 22. After remained incarcerated for over a year, he was released on April 11 this year when court quashed his back to back PSAs.

Meanwhile Superintendent Central Jail Srinagar Tej Ram Katoch also confirmed the shifting to a local news agency saying that 21 inmates have been moved to Kotbalwal jail. He also confirmed the shifting of some 10 or 12 inmates to Bhaderwah Jail before.

With inputs from agencies