J&K Assembly Secretariat Clarifies on AAP MLA Mehraj Malik’s PSA Detention

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Secretariat has issued a clarification regarding the arrest of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, who represents Doda. The MLA was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The Secretariat stated that it did not authorize the imposition of PSA on Malik, who has been placed under stringent preventive detention. Malik, also the president of the AAP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit, was transferred to Kathua jail on Monday. The Assembly Secretariat, in an official statement, refuted reports circulating in some media outlets and on social media platforms that it had supported the application of the Public Safety Act 1978 on MLA Mehraj Malik. The Secretariat emphasized that such reports are completely false and unsubstantiated, asserting that it played no role in the MLA’s arrest. The statement further explained that the Secretariat had informed all MLAs about Malik’s arrest under Rule 260 of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, a procedural requirement. Rule 260 mandates the Secretariat to inform all MLAs of any relevant information. If the House is in session, the Speaker reads the information in the House; otherwise, it is published in a bulletin for all MLAs. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his objection to Malik’s arrest via social media, questioning whether advocating for hospitals for his constituency constitutes such a significant offense that warrants imprisonment. Kejriwal asserted that Malik would continue to champion the voice of the people and fight for their rights, stating that such threats and imprisonment would not intimidate any worker.