The Jammu and Kashmir administration has detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Din Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), based on a dossier that describes him as a "habitual offender and history-sheeter". The dossier, prepared by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, alleges that Malik has repeatedly misused his position as an elected representative. He is accused of glorifying militant Burhan Wani, urging followers to act as lashkars, inciting people to burn government offices, and promoting the use of drugs.
The dossier, which has been accessed by news outlets, paints a picture of Malik as someone who believes he is above the law. It details a long criminal record, with 18 FIRs registered against him between 2014 and 2025 across multiple police stations. These FIRs include charges such as assaulting public servants, unlawful assembly, intimidation, hate speech, and violation of prohibitory orders. He has also been accused of theft of medicines from a government health center.
Specifically, the dossier accuses Malik of using social media, particularly Facebook Live, to launch verbal attacks, spread misinformation to his large following, and instigate the public in sensitive areas. He allegedly used these platforms to glorify slain militants, equate youth with militants, and call for the burning of government offices to force the fulfillment of illegal demands. Furthermore, he is accused of encouraging drug abuse by suggesting that it could boost intelligence. The administration also accused him of trying to provoke the public, especially the youth, whenever lawful action was taken to restore public order.
The detention order issued by Doda's Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh, states that Malik's actions pose a grave threat to peace, public order, and tranquility in the district. The dossier also mentions instances where Malik allegedly threatened government officials and incited public hostility against the administration. It claims that he unlawfully kept essential medicines under lock and key, refusing to release them to medical staff for distribution to villagers in dire need.
Malik's arrest has sparked protests in Doda, with supporters demanding his immediate release. Authorities have imposed restrictions, including suspension of mobile internet and broadband services, to prevent further unrest. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been invoked, prohibiting the assembly of four or more persons and banning provocative speeches or gestures.
The arrest has been condemned by various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the ruling National Conference and opposition parties. Some leaders view the arrest as an attack on Muslim representatives and an abuse of draconian laws to silence dissent. However, BJP leaders have defended the arrest, citing Malik's criminal history and the need to maintain law and order.
Malik's lawyer is preparing to file a case in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, arguing that the case against him is weak. As of September 10, 2025, Malik has been shifted to a detention facility outside Doda. This marks the first instance since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019 that an elected lawmaker from Jammu and Kashmir has been detained under the PSA.
