Malik, who is a member of the J&K assembly, was arrested on Monday, September 8, under the public Safety Act (PSA) for having pretended to disrupt public order in the Doda district, in accordance with the PTI news agency.
#WATCH | Jammu | The AAM AADMI party workers protested the detention of the president of J & K AAP and the deputy Mehraj Malik under the provisions of the 1978 law on the public security of Jammu-et-Cachemire (PSA) for the reasons for its activities being “detrimental to the maintenance of public order”. pic.twitter.com/4yafxxnacc
– Ani (@ani) September 9, 2025
This marked the first case where a deputy in office was held under the PSA, which makes it possible to detention the individual up to two years without any charge or trial.
The decision was condemned by various political parties, including the Aam Aadmi party and the chief minister of J & K, Omar Abdullah.
CM Abdullah said that Malik was “not a threat to public security” and that the use of “discredited law to hold it is wrong”.
Addressing journalists on September 9, he said: “I am unable to understand what he did to be detained under such a strict law, PSA. Is there a pivot incident?”
“On the contrary, those who played with our religious feelings have spoiled the atmosphere at the Hazratbal sanctuary; the innocent people are harassed … But no action is taken against those who have injured our religious feelings,” added Abdullah.
#WATCH | Srinagar | During the detention of the president of J&K AAP and the deputy Mehraj Malik under the provisions of the 1978 law on public security of Jammu-et-Cachemire (PSA), the chief minister of J&K, Omar Abdullah, says: “… I am unable to understand what he did to be held under such a strict law, … pic.twitter.com/xi4irywvdh
– Ani (@ani) September 9, 2025
AAP head, Surinder Singh, Shingari, said to Ani, “invoke the PSA against a deputy is not fair. He should be deleted and he should be released … No organization can hold this action.”
The secretary general of the India Congress Committee, Ghumam Ahmad Mir, described Mehraj’s arrest as “unreasonable”.
“It has been said on several occasions that the PSA, used by all governments, has always been poorly used at 99%, taking into account political interests and acquired illegally,” he told Ani.
“Miraj Malik Doda Mla used his language excessively, which no civilized person approves.
The secretary general of Poonch DGPC, Harcharan Singh, on September 8, said: “I am grateful to the LG administration and the Omar Abdullah government for the arrest of the Doda deputy … He used to promote drugs and abused an IAS officer.”
#WATCH | J&K | During the arrest of the chief of the AAP, Mehraj Malik, the secretary general of Poonch DGPC, Harcharan Singh, said: “I am grateful to the LG administration and the Omar Abdullah government for the arrest of Doda MLA … He used to promote drugs and mistreat an IAS officer …” (08.09) pic.twitter.com/mohuxhyskn
– Ani (@ani) September 8, 2025
The secretariat of J&K derives harm the arrest
The secretariat of the Jammu-et-Cachemire Legislative Assembly on Monday September 8, denied having approved the PSA against Malik.
“He was underlined / reported in certain media reports, social media platforms, X (formerly Twitter) that the Jammu-et-Cachemire Legislative Assembly Secretariat approved the slap of the 1978 laws on public security on Mehraj Malik, MLA, which is in fact incorrect and without foundation, because the secretariat did not play a role.
