Only Govt Can Fix Duration of PSA Detention, Not Magistrate: J&K High Court

Srinagar : The High Court has ruled that a District Magistrate has no authority to order or even mention detention for the “maximum period” under the Public Safety Act (PSA), observing that such power rests exclusively with the Government.

Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, while quashing the PSA detention of a Kupwara resident, said the detaining authority cannot assume the domain of the Government and record in its order that a detenue should be held for the maximum permissible duration.