AAP’s lone J-K MLA Mehraj Malik booked under Public Safety Act, triggers row

Mehraj Malik

In a first for Jammu and Kashmir, AAP’s lone MLA Mehraj Malik was detained on Monday under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Doda district for allegedly disturbing public order.

The 37-year-old legislator was first held at the Dak Bungalow while planning to visit flood-hit areas of his constituency and later shifted to Bhaderwah jail on the orders of Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh. Authorities said a dossier had been prepared against him, citing multiple complaints of abusive behaviour towards officials.

Malik’s detention has triggered a political storm, with PDP and People's Conference calling it an assault on democracy. PDP’s Waheed Para posted on X, “Such draconian laws are weaponised to silence political voices & crush dissent,” while PC leader Sajad Lone termed it a “soulless democracy” and questioned the purpose of elections if elected representatives are denied space to dissent.

Government employees in Doda, meanwhile, staged protests backing the deputy commissioner, accusing Malik of habitually targeting officials and provoking youth against the administration. In a statement, they praised the DC’s “integrity and compassion,” condemning the MLA’s “uncivilised” conduct.

Malik, who posted a video before being moved to jail, claimed he was being stopped from helping flood-affected residents. He alleged that the DC was behind protests against him and accused authorities of trying to give his objections a “communal colour.”

The first-time MLA, who won Doda for AAP in the 2024 assembly polls, has a history of controversies. In April, he clashed with BJP and PDP members in the Assembly over remarks on Hindus and former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Officials said several of Malik’s close aides are also being booked under PSA, with additional security deployed in sensitive areas of Doda to prevent unrest.

*WIth PTI inputs