Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has upheld the preventive detention of Aqib Ahmad Renzu, a former Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) corporator, under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA) in a sexual harassment case.
In his habeas corpus petition, Renzu contended that his involvement in nationalist activities, such as participating in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and hoisting the Indian flag at Char Chinari, demonstrated his nationalistic credentials, which should be considered in his favor. However, Justice Sanjay Dhar dismissed Renzu’s arguments, stating that participation in nationalist activities does not exempt an individual from facing consequences for criminal actions.
"Criminal activities prejudicial to public order cannot be overlooked due to a person’s involvement in nationalist events. Merely because the petitioner may have indulged in some activities which are nationalist in character does not give him a license to indulge in criminal activities," the court said.
"A person indulging in criminal activities, which are prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, cannot take shelter behind nationalist activities in which he may have participated at some point in his career,” the court observed.
The court noted that the grounds for Renzu’s detention included references to seven FIRs lodged against him between 2013 and 2023 and found these grounds sufficient and relevant, indicating a clear connection between the allegations and the detention order.