New Delhi, Jan 13: Nothing in this world can compensate the freedom of an individual, said a visibly happy Iftikhar Gilani, who was released today by a special court here.

"The last seven months have been a unique example in itself and the greatest compensation is the freedom I got. Nothing can compensate the freedom of an individual," Gilani, who works for Jammu-based Kashmir times and Pakistan-based ‘Daily Times’, told reporters after the court accepted the application of the government of withdrawing all cases against the scribe. Gilani, who was arrested on June 10 last year, said, "It is a lesson for everyone and also for those journalists who believed the prosecutor theory without checking the fact."

Undecided about his fate, Gilani, whose government accreditation was withdrawn after his arrest, said that he did not know whether he would go to Srinagar or continue to work in the National Capital.
His wife Aneesa thanked all those journalists who stood by her husband in thick and thin.

Meanwhile, Gilani's jubiliant counsel V K Ohri said that they might file a suit for compensation.

He also suggested that Official Secrets Act should be withdrawn as it was being misused.

Bureau Report