Shah Faesal, the IAS topper from Kashmir who gave up the civil service for public life, has been taken to a makeshift detention centre at the Centaur Hotel here since his detention early on Wednesday, officials said.

Faesal, prevented from flying out of the international airport in Delhi and taken to Srinagar, was moved from his home to the hotel during Wednesday night, the officials said.

He has been detained under the Public Safety Act, which allows detention without trial for up to two years.

Faesal, who has floated the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement party, had criticised the “unprecedented” lockdown in the Valley.