Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashes PSA detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik

SRINAGAR, APRIL 27: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed the Public Safety Act detention of Aam Aadmi Party legislator Mehraj Malik. This ruling provides significant relief to the MLA, who has been in preventive custody since September last year.

The court issued the order to set aside the detention after hearing a habeas corpus petition that challenged the grounds of his confinement under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act.Malik, who represents the Doda constituency and serves as the head of the AAP unit in the region, was originally detained on September 8, 2025.

Authorities had alleged that his activities were prejudicial to public order, leading to his incarceration in the Kathua district jail. The legal challenge to his detention saw multiple hearings, with the court officially reserving its verdict on February 23 following the completion of arguments from both the defense and the prosecution.

Following the court’s decision to invalidate the detention order, Malik is expected to be released from custody once all necessary legal formalities are processed. Sources indicate that his release will proceed provided he is not required by law enforcement in connection with any other pending cases.

The quashing of the order marks a pivotal legal victory for the legislator and his supporters in the Doda region.