Jammu and Kashmir’s only Aam Aadmi Party MLA, Mehraj Malik, has been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for one year. He is the first lawmaker in J&K to face this strict act.
After defeating the BJP in 2024, Mehraj Malik is currently embroiled in several criminal cases and scandals, and his detention has triggered both legal and political debates.
What is the Public Safety Act (PSA)?
Under the Public Safety Act (PSA), a special law in Jammu and Kashmir, a person can be kept in jail without a trial for up to two years if considered a threat to security, and up to one year if accused of disturbing public order. Unlike ordinary arrests, getting bail under the PSA is very difficult.
Why is PSA Mostly Applied in J&K?
The law was originally introduced in J&K in 1978 to tackle timber smuggling. Later, governments started using it for security and law-and-order reasons. Authorities say J&K’s sensitive security situation requires this tool to prevent violence or unrest before it happens. Human rights groups, however, have often criticised its misuse against political opponents and activists.
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Who is Mehraj Malik – AAP MLA Detained Under PSA?
Mehraj Malik, 36, is the only AAP MLA in J&K. He won the Doda Assembly seat in 2024 by defeating BJP candidate Gajay Singh with a margin of 4,538 votes. This gave AAP its first-ever entry into the J&K Assembly.
Before that, Mehraj Malik served as a District Development Council (DDC) member from Kahara in 2020. He joined AAP in 2013 and was later made co-chairman of its state coordination committee in 2022.
Why Was Malik Detained?
Officials said Malik has been creating disturbances in public order. He is named in 18 FIRs and 16 daily diary reports in the Doda district. Charges include:
- Attacking officers on duty
- Locking officials inside offices
- Using abusive and intimidating language in public
- Facing allegations of abduction
Police said his activities interfered with relief work during the recent floods in the region. He has now been sent to Bhaderwah jail for one year under the PSA.
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Controversies Around Him
Mehraj Malik has been in the news for multiple disputes:
- A viral video showed him abusing Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh. The DC alleged Malik wanted a health sub-centre shifted to a building built on state land by his supporter for rent.
- In May 2024, a woman doctor accused him of using “abusive, gendered and derogatory remarks” on social media. An FIR was registered.
- During the J&K Assembly budget session, Malik clashed with BJP MLAs over the opening of liquor shops in Jammu.
Political Impact on AAP in J&K
Mehraj Malik’s detention does not end his Assembly membership since no court has convicted him. But his arrest under PSA is a big test for AAP’s future in J&K politics. While his supporters call him a strong voice for local issues like water, electricity, and healthcare, authorities see him as a threat to peace.
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