J&K High Court quashes PSA detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik and orders his release
The Facts
- The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court quashed the Public Safety Act detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik.
- Malik is an AAP legislator from Doda East/Doda and also heads the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit.
- He had been detained since September 8, 2025, under allegations tied to activities prejudicial to public order and was lodged in Kathua jail.
- The High Court’s ruling came on a habeas corpus petition filed by Malik challenging his preventive detention, and the court had reserved judgment on February 23.
- Multiple reports say the court held that the allegations against Malik fell within ordinary law-and-order issues and did not justify preventive detention under the PSA standard for public order.
- The order cleared the way for Malik’s release, and he was released from Kathua jail the following morning after formalities were completed.
- The case drew attention because Malik was described in multiple reports as the first sitting MLA in Jammu and Kashmir to be booked under the PSA.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
What did the court decide?
The High Court set aside the detention order issued against Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act and directed that he be released from preventive detention ThePrint,Indian Express,Greater Kashmir.
Why had Mehraj Malik been detained?
Reports say Malik was detained on September 8, 2025, under the PSA over allegations that his activities were prejudicial to public order; he was then lodged in Kathua jail Jammu Kashmir Lates…,New Indian Express,Greater Kashmir.
Why is this case notable beyond Malik’s release?
The case centers on the use of preventive-detention law against an elected legislator. Several reports say the court found the allegations did not meet the threshold for PSA detention tied to public order, and some outlets noted Malik was the first sitting MLA in J&K reported to have been booked under the law News18,Hindu,Times of India.
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Wire services (1)
Independent coverage (50)
ThePrint'Victory of truth': Mehraj Malik's family hails his release
NewsDrum'Victory of truth': Mehraj Malik's family hails his release
Hindustan TimesJ&K AAP MLA Mehraj Malik walks free after HC quashes PSA det...
The PioneerJ&K High Court Quashes PSA Detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik
The Indian Express'It irks some when common man enters politics...': Mehraj Ma...
newsonair.gov.inAAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from Kathua jail after PSA det...
Free Press KashmirJK HC quashes PSA detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik
Economic TimesAAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from Kathua jail after HC quas...
News18'Law & Order Not Equal To Public Order': J&K High Court Quas...
Asianet News Network Pvt LtdJ&K AAP MLA Mehraj Malik released, slams BJP after leaving K...
Asian News International (ANI)Jammu and Kashmir AAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from Kathua ...
NewsBytesJailed J&K AAP MLA Mehraj Malik released after court relief
LatestLYIndia News | Jammu and Kashmir AAP MLA Mehraj Malik Released...
Rising KashmirHumanity being ruined in name of religion': Mehraj Malik aft...
Asianet News Network Pvt LtdJ&K AAP chief Mehraj Malik released after HC quashes PSA det...
The TribuneAAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from Kathua jail after J-K HC ...
The New Indian ExpressAAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from jail after J&K HC quashed...
metrovaartha.comAAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from Kathua jail after J-K HC ...
LatestLYIndia News | J-K: AAP MLA Mehraj Malik Released from Kathua ...
Asian News International (ANI)J-K: AAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from Kathua jail after HC...
ETV Bharat NewsAAP MLA Mehraj Malik Walks Out Of Kathua Jail After J&K High...
newsonair.gov.inJ&K High Court orders release of Doda East MLA Mehraj Malik,...
ThePrintAAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from Kathua jail after J-K HC ...
Rediff.com India Ltd.J&K High Court Orders Release Of AAP Leader Mehraj Malik
dtNext.inAAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from Kathua jail after J-K HC ...
Rediff.com India Ltd.J&K High Court Orders Release Of AAP Leader Mehraj Malik
Greater KashmirDoda MLA Mehraj Malik released after PSA quashed by HC
Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&KAAP MLA Mehraj Malik Released From Kathua Jail After J-K HC ...
Hindustan TimesJ&K HC quashes PSA case against AAP's Mehraj Malik
The TribuneHigh Court quashes PSA detention of AAP legislator Mehraj Ma...
Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&KHC quashes Malik's detention under PSA
Hindustan TimesArvind Kejriwal's 'thanedar' jibe as he blames PM Modi for P...
The Times of IndiaJ&K HC quashes AAP leader Mehraj Malik's PSA detention | Ind...
Greater KashmirHC orders release of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, quashes PSA
Economic TimesJ&K HC quashes PSA against AAP MLA Mehraj Malik
Asian News International (ANI)"Mehraj Malik's detention was gross misuse of law...": J-K C...
Asianet News Network Pvt LtdKejriwal calls Modi 'bheegi billi' before Trump, jails oppos...
Asianet News Network Pvt LtdOmar Abdullah slams 'gross misuse of law' in AAP MLA's deten...
NDTVHigh Court Orders Release Of J&K AAP MLA Detained Under Publ...
Asian News International (ANI)"Bheegi billi" infront of Trump, throws opposition leaders o...
The HinduJ&K court orders release of AAP MLA after 8 months of jail, ...
Scroll.inJ&K High Court quashes Public Safety Act detention of AAP ML...
The Indian ExpressJ-K High Court quashes AAP MLA Mehraj Malik's detention unde...
Greater KashmirAltaf Bukhari welcomes quashing of Mehraj Malik's PSA detent...
The StatesmanDetention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under PSA was gross misuse...
NewsDrum'Non-application of mind': J-K HC quashes PSA detention of A...
englishBig Relief For AAP, Court Quashes PSA Detention Of Mehraj Ma...
NewsDrumJK CM terms Mehraj Malik's detention 'gross misuse' of law a...
Rising KashmirChowdry Mohammad Ramzan hails HC verdict quashing Mehraj Mal...
Deccan ChronicleJ&K, Ladakh High Court Quashes PSA Detention of AAP MLA Mehr...
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