Lone AAP MLA in J&K Mehraj Malik detained under PSA

The lone Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA in J&K, Mehraj Malik, was detained on Mondayunder the Public Safety Act (PSA) on the charges of disturbing public order. After being detained in Doda, he was shifted to the jail in Kathua.

This is for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir that a sitting MLA has been detained under the PSA.

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Under the PSA, an individual can be detained on the basis of an executive order for a maximum of two years, without trial.

The order issued by the district magistrate, Doda, said that “Mehraj Malik has been booked under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act 1978, on the grounds of his activities being prejudicial to the maintenance of public order”.

“The said action has been taken after due consideration of all relevant materials, reports and circumstances that clearly establish that the continuation of such activities by the Hon’ble member posed a grave threat to peace, public order and tranquillity in the district. Preventive detention under the PSA was, therefore, found necessary in the interest of maintaining public order and safeguarding law and order in the region”, the order read.

Malik was detained after an FIR was also filed against him for allegedly using abusive language against Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh and his family members. A series of videos have surfaced in the past few days in which Malik can be seen using derogatory language against the DC and other officers of the district.

He is also accused of hampering the relief and rescue operations being carried out in the recent landslides and flash flood incidents in the district.

Malik won the Assembly election in 2024 defeating his nearest rival from the BJP in the Doda constituency by a margin of over 4,538 votes.

Peoples Conference chief and MLA Sajad Lone and PDP’s legislature party chief Waheed Para have criticised the detention of Malik.

Lone wrote on X; “We strongly condemn the use of the PSA against @MehrajMalikAAP This is a soulless democracy. The will of the people of J and K continues to be subservient. What is the fun of having elections if an elected representative cannot voice his sentiments. A very sad day for an already endangered democracy”.

Waheed Para wrote in a post on X, “Strongly condemn the use of PSA against MLA Mehraj Malik. Such draconian laws are weaponised to silence political voices & crush dissent. Such authoritarian measures are no way to resolve differences in a democracy”.

An FIR was registered yesterday at Gandoh Police Station under Sections 221, 329(3), 351(2), 305(e), and 191(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against those involved, including the MLA, for disturbing shifting of a health centre.

Government employees in Doda observed a pen down strike today to protest against the actions of Malik and held a massive rally.