Journalist and political commentator Majid Hyderi, known for his frequent appearances on television news channels, was arrested late last week by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on charges of criminal conspiracy and extortion. Officials have confirmed that he has been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) and is currently incarcerated at the Kot Balwal jail in the Jammu region of the Union Territory, Excelsior reported.
Hyderi, a resident of Peerbagh area in Srinagar, was taken into custody on Thursday night following the registration of an FIR (First Information Report) under sections 120B, 177, 386, and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR was filed based on an order issued by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC) court in Srinagar. The charges against Hyderi include criminal conspiracy, intimidation, extortion, giving false information, and defamation, according to the police.
While the journalist initially secured bail on Saturday, he was immediately rearrested in connection with another case, the details of which have not been made public at this time.
Reacting to the detention of Majid Hyderi, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah expressed his concerns, describing it as “deeply disturbing.” Abdullah, in a social media post, criticized the Jammu and Kashmir administration for what he perceived as intolerance to criticism. He stated, “I don’t think there is very much he & I would ever agree on being ideologically poles apart but this reported detention & shift to a jail in Jammu is cruel & unnecessary.”
Reports of #MajidHyderi’s detention under PSA are deeply disturbing. If correct this is yet another instance of the current J&K administration proving how intolerant they are to any criticism. I don’t think there is very much he & I would ever agree on being ideologically poles…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 18, 2023
Abdullah further emphasized that if Majid Hyderi has made statements that others disagree with, the appropriate course of action should be recourse to defamation laws rather than detaining him under the PSA. He concluded, “He isn’t a threat to public safety even if he does threaten a few reputations.”
Prominent lawyer and commentator, Irfan Hafiz Lone, a familiar face in televised debates alongside journalist Majid Hyderi, has strongly criticized the recent action taken against his colleague, denouncing it as a “blatant disregard” for constitutional safeguards, reports Newsclick.
Lone asserted, “The essence of our Constitution lies in safeguarding freedom of speech and expression. The unjust accusation levied against Majid Hyderi, a seasoned journalist, serves as a grave threat to the core principles of democracy. It’s disheartening to see him languish in detention despite securing bail from a competent court,” as conveyed through a statement on platform X.
Kashmir, a region fraught with media challenges, especially since the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, has drawn the attention of media rights organizations. Numerous journalists have faced summonses, home invasions, and confiscation of their electronic devices by law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, several have been subjected to harsh laws like the PSA (Public Safety Act) and UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act). This ongoing situation raises significant concerns about the state of journalism and free expression in the region.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
