Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday assured legal assistance to the family of detained AAP legislator Mehraj Malik, who has been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
“I met his father and assured him all the help. I would advise his party (AAP) to pick a lawyer from J&K who understands the PSA law well, and not bring a lawyer from outside J&K. I have spoken to a few lawyers. We are ready to extend all possible help,” Omar said.
Malik’s father, who has been making repeated appeals for his son’s release, broke down while speaking to the media in Doda.
Calling the detention “undemocratic,” he said: “I gave my son to the people, now I want him back. His four daughters are crying at home — the youngest is just two-and-a-half years old. Who will take care of them? His mother and wife are also in tears.” He demanded the suspension of the Deputy Commissioner and called for independent probes.
Malik, the lone AAP MLA in Jammu and Kashmir, was detained on September 8 by order of the Doda district magistrate, who described his activities as “prejudicial to public order.”
The detention came days after a public confrontation between Malik and DC Harvinder Singh over alleged misuse of authority, including unpaid rent for a dispensary and lapses in flood relief distribution.
The PSA move has triggered protests in Doda and condemnation from opposition parties.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal questioned whether an elected MLA should be jailed for demanding basic amenities, while critics noted that PSA has rarely been used against sitting legislators.
Despite the government’s dossier citing potential unrest, Malik’s family insists he is innocent.
“All I request is to revoke the PSA. The district itself is in crisis,” his father said.
