Mehbooba Mufti Under House Arrest Ahead of Article 370 Verdict: PDP Raises Concerns

People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has been placed under house arrest on Monday, anticipating the Supreme Court's impending verdict on a series of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370. The provision granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution, and its revocation in 2019 stirred significant controversy.

According to the PDP, law enforcement authorities sealed the doors of Mehbooba Mufti's residence and placed her under "illegal house arrest" even before the Supreme Court's judgment was delivered. The PDP expressed its concerns about the apparent restrictions on Mufti through a post on social media.

Simultaneously, police authorities reportedly prevented journalists from approaching the residence of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah in Gupkar. A notable police presence was observed at the entry point of Gupkar Road, with journalists denied access to the residences of the NC leaders.

Omar Abdullah, who resides with his father, relinquished his official residence in October 2020. While Farooq Abdullah, currently in Delhi for the ongoing Parliament session, holds the position of Member of Parliament from Srinagar, his son remains in the valley.

The developments come amid heightened anticipation surrounding the Supreme Court's verdict on the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370, a decision that holds profound implications for the region's political and constitutional landscape.