File photo of separatist Masarat Alam
The Centre today asked the Jammu and Kashmir government for a third round of clarifications on separatist Masarat Alam Bhat, whose release from prison last week has sparked a massive political controversy.
The hardliner accused of spearheading a wave of stone-throwing protests across Kashmir in 2010 was freed on Saturday.
Sources say the state government, clarifying for the second time today, told the home ministry that there were no legal grounds to keep him in jail. The Centre, however, asked for details on all cases against the separatist, indicating that it is exploring its legal options.
The Centre has denied opposition allegations that it knew that the separatist would be released and failed to stop it. It has blamed its ally, the PDP of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, of taking the step without consulting the Centre.
But letters exclusively accessed by NDTV show that the decision on Masarat Alam was taken when the state was under central rule in February; the PDP-led government came to power on March 1.
Sources say the Centre asked the state government why, if the process of release began earlier, "everything happened in the last 15 days."
The Jammu and Kashmir government reportedly explained that the floods in September and elections had led to the delay in a decision on the separatist.
Masarat Alam was booked in 27 cases but was granted bail in all. He was later booked eight times under the Public Safety Act, which allows detention for two years without trial.
The government today faced more attacks in Parliament over the letters reported by NDTV.
"Why didn't you issue another detention order after seeing these letters if you already knew? This means you were involved in the release of Masarat Alam," Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia said in the Lok Sabha, demanding Home Minister Rajnath Singh's explanation.
"We saw the letters and spoke to the home minister. He is busy with Rajya Sabha today. I remember he said the matter will be investigated properly and presented before the house," said Union minister Venkaiah Naidu.