Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir AAP chief and MLA Mehraj Malik was on Monday detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Doda district, officials said.
This is for the first time that a sitting MLA has been detained under the PSA, an administrative law that allows detention without charge or trial for up to two years in some cases.
Political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday denounced slapping of PSA on elected representative from Doda Mehraj Malik, and said such “draconian laws” are weaponised to silence political voices.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday strongly criticised the detention of Doda legislator Mehraj Din Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), terming it unjustified and a blow to democratic values in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a post on X, CM said there was “no justification” for Malik’s detention, asserting that he posed no threat to public safety. “Using this discredited law to detain him is wrong,” Omar said.
Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah has strongly criticised the detention of Jammu and Kashmir AAP chief and MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), calling the move “unjustifiable” and a misuse of law.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal strongly condemned the detention of Jammu and Kashmir AAP chief and MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act.
In a post on X, Kejriwal questioned whether demanding a hospital for people in his constituency was “such a big crime” that an elected MLA had to be jailed for it.
J&K Peoples’ Conference (JKPC) chairman, Sajad Gani Lone, who is also an MLA Handwara expressed strong condemnation over the move.
In a post on X, Lone said: “We strongly condemn the use of the PSA against @MehrajMalikAAP This is a soulless democracy”. He added that” 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”.
In a similar way, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para said such draconian laws are being used as a “weapon” to silent political voices and crush dissent.
He said such types of measures are no way to resolve difference in a democratic set up.
Taking to micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter), PDP leader said: “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”.
Earlier, a case was registered against Malik after he was allegedly seen removing medical equipment and life-saving drugs from a government-run Ayushman Arogya Mandir/Health and Wellness Centre at Kencha village in Doda district.
The incident was live-streamed on social media, reported Tribune newspaper.
Quoting an official statement from the district health authorities, it said the wellness centre in Kencha village, Thathri block, has been operating out of a rented two-room private building for over five years. Nearly two years ago, one of the rooms had sunk and sustained structural damage, prompting repeated safety concerns from residents.
Following inspections, the Block Medical Officer, Thathri, took up the matter with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Doda, to relocate the facility. Several committees were formed to assess alternative sites, and after due process, a building owned by one Abdul Rashid was approved. However, Malik opposed the decision, accusing the administration of corruption and favouritism, and instead supported another proposal from Ghulam Ali Malik, which was rejected for failing to meet the required criteria.
The statement alleged that the MLA, accompanied by others, forcibly removed equipment and medicines, disrupting emergency services and affecting the distribution of drugs to patients.
An FIR has been registered 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.
In response, Mehraj Malik issued a statement on social media, saying he had already submitted a written request to the CMO, Doda, for relocating the centre in line with public demand and to a location he claimed was more suitable. He further alleged that the Deputy Commissioner was attempting to “favour the mafia” and used harsh words against the official in his remarks.
Police cited as many as 18 FIRs and multiple public complaints against Malik, accusing him of abusing officials, obstructing relief and development works, and instigating youth in Doda district. Authorities said the detention was necessary to maintain public order, and hinted that more PSA detentions could follow in the coming days, reported news agency KDC.
In the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir elections, Malik defeated his nearest rival from the BJP in Doda constituency by a margin of over 4,538 votes and registered the first win for his party in the Union territory.
He won the District Development Council elections from Kahara constituency of Doda on December 24, 2020. He resigned from the post after winning the assembly elections in October last year.
