JK Assembly Secretariat Refutes Claims of Endorsing PSA Against MLA Mehraj Malik

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat on Monday denied reports suggesting it had endorsed the detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), clarifying that it had no role in the matter.

In an official communique, the Secretariat said, “It has been highlighted/reported in some media reports, social media platforms, X (formerly Twitter), that the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has endorsed the slapping of provisions of Public Safety Act 1978 on Mehraj Malik, Hon’ble MLA (52-Doda Assembly Constituency) which is factually incorrect and baseless as the Secretariat has no role in it.”

The Secretariat explained that its responsibility was limited to informing legislators about the detention in line with Assembly rules. “This Secretariat was under an obligation in terms of Rule 260 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to inform all the Hon’ble Members of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly about the aforesaid arrest/detention of the Hon’ble Member,” it stated.

Rule 260 specifies that the Speaker, after receiving a communication under Rule 258 or Rule 259, must read it out in the House if in session or, if not, direct that it be published in the Bulletin for the information of members.

The clarification comes after strong political backlash over Malik’s detention. Several leaders, including Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone, Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami, and NC MLA Salman Ali Sagar, denounced the use of the PSA against an elected representative, calling it undemocratic and unjustified. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the use of the PSA against Malik “wrong” and a “misuse of law.”

Officials said the 37-year-old Malik, who was elected in October 2024 and later appointed as AAP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit president, was detained on Monday at Dak Bungalow while on his way to visit flood-hit areas of his constituency. On the orders of the Deputy Commissioner of Doda, Harvinder Singh, Malik was shifted to Bhaderwah jail after police prepared a dossier accusing him of disturbing public order.

Malik, a social worker-turned-politician, secured AAP’s maiden seat in Jammu and Kashmir in the 2024 Assembly elections, defeating his BJP rival in Doda by more than 4,500 votes. His tenure has been marked by sharp criticism of the administration over the health sector, rural infrastructure, and what he often described as bureaucratic high-handedness.

Authorities justified the detention citing a long list of allegations. According to officials, Malik has been named in 18 FIRs and 16 daily diary reports in Doda, including charges of attacking officials, locking them inside offices, abusing and intimidating them in public, and even abduction. A recent controversy saw him clash with the deputy commissioner over the shifting of a health sub-centre, with a video of him hurling abuses at the officer going viral. Employees later staged protests accusing the MLA of habitual misbehaviour and “provoking youths against the official machinery.”