Desk Correspondent, Shrinagar - The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday quashed the detention of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), ordering his immediate release. Malik, the first AAP legislator elected from the Doda assembly constituency, had been detained by authorities since late last year on grounds of being a threat to public order. The court’s decision effectively nullifies the detention order issued by the district administration, allowing the lawmaker to walk free after several months of custody.

In its ruling, the High Court observed that the grounds for Malik’s detention lacked sufficient legal merit and failed to provide a concrete basis for his continued incarceration under the stringent PSA. The bench noted that the constitutional safeguards regarding personal liberty must be strictly adhered to, finding that the procedural requirements for such a detention had not been fully satisfied. This legal victory comes as a significant boost for the AAP’s newly established presence in the Jammu region, where Malik serves as a key political figure.

The AAP leadership welcomed the verdict, characterizing the initial detention as a politically motivated attempt to stifle the voice of the opposition in the Union Territory. Malik’s supporters celebrated the news across Doda, as the party prepares for his return to active legislative duties. The administration has not yet commented on whether it intends to challenge the High Court's ruling in a higher bench or if further legal actions are being considered against the legislator.