Lucknow, December 24: Almost four months after the Union government scrapped the Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and booked several political leaders under the Public Safety Act (PSA), the first case of a member of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami's death arrived from inside a jail in Uttar Pradesh. The PSA detainee from Jammu and Kashmir -- Ghulam Mohammed Bhat -- died inside the Naini jail in Prayagraj.

According to a report published in the Indian Express, Bhat was booked from the Valley under PSA and was lodged inside the Naini jail in Prayagraj. Jail officials said that he was among the 600 persons from J&K held under 'preventive detention'. This is the first case of death of a member from Jammu and Kashmir, who was booked under PSA. Apart from Kashmir, there are 200 other -- booked under same provisions -- and are mostly from Uttar Pradesh. Muslim Families Flee After UP Police Raids Houses Following Anti-CAA Protests, Kin Allege Harassment And Threatening.

Informing about the death of Bhat, a family member said that he was in his 60s and they received a call on Friday that he was unwell. Adding more, Bhat’s son Haneef Mohammad said, as the daily quotes, "Early Saturday morning, I was sent to Uttar Pradesh. As soon as we reached Naini jail in the evening, I was told that my father had passed away."

Stating that he had ionformed state police about the deteriorating health conditions of his father and requested them to bring him back, his appeals went unheard. Haneef had earlier confirmed that his father -- Ghulam Mohammed -- was a Jamaat member and had appeared before police, prior to being shifted outside the state.

On the contrary, Kupwara Deputy Commissioner Anshul Garg said, "Bhat was booked under PSA. We had sent him to the Srinagar Central Jail. It was the decision of the Home Department to send him outside the Valley. We had no information that he was ailing, and Prayagraj authorities informed us of the death yesterday. We are not aware of the cause of death." Following the incident, Mehbooba Mufti's daughter Iltija Mufti held the Union Home Ministry accountable.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2019 01:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).