{"id":12369,"date":"2026-04-28T12:48:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T07:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicherald.in\/?p=12369"},"modified":"2026-04-28T12:48:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T07:18:40","slug":"mehraj-malik-released-kathua-jail-psa-quashed-jk-hc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicherald.in\/?p=12369","title":{"rendered":"AAP MLA Mehraj Malik Released From Kathua Jail After J&K HC Quashes PSA Detention"},"content":{"rendered":"

JAMMU, Apr 28:<\/strong> Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Mehraj Malik was released from Kathua jail on Tuesday after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed his detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA).<\/p>\n

Following his release, Malik said he would continue to raise public issues and remain active in highlighting the concerns of people.<\/p>\n

The High Court had set aside the detention order issued by the Doda District Magistrate on September 8 last year and directed authorities to \u201crelease the petitioner-detenu forthwith from preventive detention.\u201d<\/p>\n

Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, in his order, observed that the detention was legally unsustainable and suffered from \u201cnon-application of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMalik was released by jail authorities this morning after completing all formalities,\u201d his lawyer and AAP spokesperson Appu Singh Slathia said.<\/p>\n

As Malik walked out of Kathua jail, a large number of supporters gathered outside, raising slogans in his favour, dancing to dhol beats, and showering him with flowers.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters after his release, Malik said, \u201cI am now out of jail. I thank the judiciary for justice. I will continue to raise the issues of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court had on Monday quashed Malik\u2019s preventive detention under PSA, terming it legally unsustainable and based on \u201cnon-application of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Malik, who heads the AAP\u2019s Jammu and Kashmir unit, was detained in September last year on allegations of disturbing public order and was lodged in Kathua jail.<\/p>\n

He later filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court challenging his detention and also sought Rs 5 crore as compensation.<\/p>\n

The High Court had reserved its verdict on February 23 and delivered the final order on Monday.<\/p>\n

In its 87-page judgment, the court ordered the immediate release of the MLA, stating that the detention order could not be justified under preventive detention laws.<\/p>\n

The court also emphasized the difference between \u201claw and order\u201d and \u201cpublic order,\u201d noting that the cases against Malik did not meet the threshold for preventive detention.<\/p>\n

It observed that the allegations mostly related to routine law and order matters, including election-related issues, and did not amount to public disorder.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no live link or proximity between the alleged activities and the need for preventive detention,\u201d the court said, adding that PSA provisions were wrongly invoked. (Agencies)<\/p>\n\n

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