Mehraj Malik, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and MLA for Jammu and Kashmir, was detained on Monday, September 8, 2025, under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly disturbing public order in the Doda district. This marks the first instance of a sitting MLA being taken into custody under the PSA, an administrative law that permits detention without charge or trial for up to two years in certain cases.

Malik's detention has elicited strong condemnation from opposition parties. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Conference have criticized the move as an attempt to stifle dissent and an assault on democracy.

Earlier in the day, the 37-year-old AAP MLA was initially detained by police while he was planning to visit flood-hit areas within his constituency. Subsequently, he was moved to Bhaderwah district jail under the PSA, following orders from the Deputy Commissioner of Doda, Harvinder Singh, after police compiled a dossier against him.

During his initial detention, Malik posted a video on social media, claiming he was being prevented from meeting constituents affected by recent flash floods and torrential rains. He also accused the Deputy Commissioner of orchestrating protests against him by government employees. Malik stated that many areas in his constituency lacked road connectivity, rations, and shelter due to damaged homes, and protested his detention.

Authorities claim that numerous cases and complaints have been registered against Malik regarding his behavior and disputes with government officials in the Doda district over the past year. Allegations include attacking officials, confining them in their offices, and publically intimidating them. He also faces charges of abduction. Officials also stated that several of Malik's close associates are also being detained under the PSA, with additional security deployments in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

Mehraj Malik secured the first win for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Union Territory in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir elections, defeating his BJP rival in the Doda constituency by over 4,538 votes.

Recently, a video circulated purportedly showing Malik verbally abusing the Doda Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh, concerning the relocation of a health sub-center. Malik claimed his recommendation was ignored, while the DC alleged that Malik wanted the sub-center to operate in a building owned by one of his supporters on state land, with the administration paying monthly rent. In May, police registered an FIR against him for allegedly using objectionable language toward a female doctor at Doda Government Medical College.

Despite the PSA detention, Malik's membership in the J&K Legislative Assembly will not be affected unless he is convicted in any of the registered cases. Officials report that Malik has been named in 18 FIRs and 16 daily diary reports at various police stations in the Doda district. They allege that he has been increasingly disrupting public order, particularly during the district administration's efforts to provide relief to those affected by recent heavy rains and flash floods.