Ahmedabad: Mufti Salman Azhari, a noted Indian Islamic preacher, has reached his 200th day in detention, remaining in custody even after being granted bail for the initial charges brought against him in Gujarat, India.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Azhari was detained on February 5 by Gujarat Police on accusations of making provocative speeches in the districts of Junagadh and Kutch East. While he secured bail for these allegations, his continued detention is enforced under the Gujarat Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA), which is reserved for those deemed to be engaged in severe criminal activities.

The Gujarat High Court recently rejected Azhari’s plea to lift the PASA from his case, maintaining the stringent controls on his release despite the bail granted in his initial hearings. Azhari now faces multiple charges under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, detailing the serious nature of the accusations against him.

His legal representatives have announced plans to challenge the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court in hopes of overturning his continued detention under PASA.