Jammu: In an unprecedented move, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday detained Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) state chief and lone MLA Mehraj Malik under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Doda district for allegedly disturbing public order.
Malik, who represents the Doda constituency in the assembly, was picked up by police after multiple complaints and has been shifted to an undisclosed location, reports said.
This is for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir that a sitting MLA has been slapped with the PSA.
“The Assembly Speaker, Chief Minister and other senior functionaries have been informed. A dossier is also being prepared citing his repeated derogatory remarks against doctors, officials, and interference in relief distribution in flood-hit Doda.”
Malik has been facing 18 FIRs and 10 daily diary reports over various incidents, ETV Bharat reported quoting official sources.
The latest case stems from a confrontation over the shifting of a damaged government health centre in Thathri block to a private building.
On September 5, Malik had livestreamed the protest on Facebook, accusing the district administration of bias and using harsh language against Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh.
A day later, the MLA and five others were booked following a complaint by the local Block Medical Officer.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh sharply criticised the detention, calling it a sign of authoritarianism.
“MehrajMalikAAP is raising his voice for a hospital in his area, but he has been arrested by Jammu and Kashmir Police. This is the dictatorship of the regime. He is a resilient leader who is not afraid of such cowardly actions,” Singh wrote on X.
Opposition voices in J&K also condemned the use of PSA against an elected legislator. PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Para termed the move “weaponisation of draconian laws to silence dissent.”
“Strongly condemn the use of PSA against MLA Mehraj Malik. Such authoritarian measures are no way to resolve differences in a democracy,” Para said.
People’s Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone echoed the criticism. “This is a soulless democracy. What is the fun of having elections if an elected representative cannot voice his sentiments? A very sad day for an already endangered democracy,” Lone posted.
