New Delhi: The hearing on the plea by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah will now be heard on February 14 as Justice Mohan M. Shantanahoudar recused himself from hearing it.

The hearing on Ms Pilot’s plea challenging the detention of Mr Abdullah under the Public Safety Act was adjourned as Justice Shantanagoudar, who was part of the bench also comprising Justices N.V. Ramana and Sanjiv Khanna, said at the onset, “I am not participating in this matter.” He did not cite any reason for recusing himself.

Initially the matter was directed to be listed for Thursday, but on a request by senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for Ms Pilot, it was directed to be listed for Friday.