AAP forms legal team to challenge PSA detention of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday announced a 10-member legal team comprising prominent Jammu and Kashmir advocates to challenge the detention of its J&K unit president and Doda MLA, Mehraj Malik, under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).

Meanwhile, district authorities restored broadband internet services in Doda district as the situation started returning to normal after nearly one week. Also, restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS were withdrawn from the entire Doda district today evening, except from Kahara and Chilli Pingal tehsils. Schools in the entire district, except Bhatyas zone, will open from Monday (September 15).

Malik was detained on September 8 for allegedly disturbing public order in Doda district. His detention triggered violent protests, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory restrictions and suspend mobile internet and broadband services.

In a post on X, AAP Delhi MLA and J&K in-charge Imran Hussain reaffirmed the party’s support for Malik. He said, “AAP stands strong with our MLA Mehraj Malik, arrested under PSA. A strong legal team led by Senior Advocate Nirmal K. Kotwal, along with Advocates Muzaffar Khan, Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad, and Appu Singh (Assisting Counsel), supported by Arvind Bandral, Joginder Singh Thakur, Gaurav Sarangal, Sandeep Sharma, Asim Hashmi, and M Tariq Mughal will fight this case.”

Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad, one of Malik’s legal representatives, told The Tribune that the team is preparing a legal representation. “It will take four to five days to finalise the presentation and file the case in the High Court,” said Ahmed.

Notably, Senior Advocate Nirmal Kotwal is the president of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, while Muzaffar Khan is an independent MLA from the Thannamandi constituency.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also expressed solidarity with Malik on X, stating, “I have full hope that Mehraj Malik will get justice and he will come out soon.”

The restrictions on the movement of people were eased for eight hours on Sunday moring after Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, Shridhar Patil along with Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Mehta held a meeting with civil society members, including representatives of traders and transporters.

The representatives were assured that restrictions would be progressively eased out starting immediately, the officials said.

The reopening of shops in the market, resumption of transport services, restoration of broadband and mobile internet services and the reopening of schools will be carried out in a phased manner, the officers had said. Broadband internet services were restored, while additional forces were removed from the markets which opened this morning, the officials said.

At the meeting, the representatives of Beopar Mandal, Transport Association and others assured their active support and cooperation to the district administration in maintaining public order.

The representatives highlighted that the general public suffered significant losses in the recent flood-like situation in the district and people have high hopes from the government in this time of distress.

The DIG commended the role and support of the general public of Doda and other stakeholders in maintaining peace and order in the district by foiling the attempts of disturbing public order. However, he stressed upon the participants, particularly the business community, to activate the CCTV cameras and ensure their functionality so that activities of trouble creators could be monitored.

He sought cooperation and responsibility of the transport association, shopkeepers to keep an eye on miscreants and trouble creators, which includes sensitisation of drivers, labourers and workers connected with the business activities.