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Srinagar, Aug 9 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has quashed the detention of 14 detenues, including a photo journalist Maqbool Sahil, under Public Safety Act (PSA).

The High Court passed the orders for their release after hearing both the sides. Besides Sahil, the Court has quashed the detention of 13 others Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Abdul Ahad Daga, Shazad Ahmad Ganai, Abdul Gani Ganai, Mohammad Ishaq Itoo, Abdul Rashid Bhat, Mukhtiar Ahmad Lone, Mohammad Ramzan Chopan, Ghulam Ahmad Kumar, Mohammad Nasrullah, Pervez Ahmad Dar, Rouf Ahmad Shah and Mohammad Ameen Wani.

Photo-journalist Maqbool Sahil was arrested on September 18, 2004 for his alleged links with the militants and Pakistan ISI.

Advocate G N Shaheen pleading the case of Sahil told the court that he was arrested by Counter Insurgency Kashmir (CIK) of Jammu and Kashmir Police under FIR 19/04 under section 3-OSA.

Later, police prepared a dossier against him and the then Deputy Commissioner ordered his detention under the PSA.

He further said that Sahil was lodged in Kotbalwal jail Jammu but his detention was quashed by the High Court on November 1, 2005 quashed and authorities were directed to release him, if he was not required in any other case.

The Advocate said Sahil was not released and instead taken to CIK where he was kept for three months more. The police later prepared dossiers and sent that for approval to Deputy Commissioner Srinagar.

However, this time the deputy commissioner refused but the police approach DC Budgam who too refused to entertain police dossier on lack of evidence.

The then SSP Srinagar sent the dossier to the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag who passed detention order on January 9, 2006 vide DMA/PSA/5/2001, booking Sahil under section 8 of PSA for two more years.

Advocate Shaheen pleaded that Sahil was innocent and asked that his detention order should be quashed.

The High Court after hearing the arguments quashed the detention and directed the police to release Sahil if not required in any other case.

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