MLA Mehraj Malik challenges PSA detention; seeks quashment, Rs 5 crore compensation
Srinagar Sep 25 (KINS): The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu on Wednesday admitted a Habeas Corpus petition filed by MLA Doda (East), Mehraj Malik, challenging his preventive detention under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978.
Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, after hearing the matter, issued post-admission notices to the Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, District Magistrate Doda, Senior Superintendent of Police Doda, and Superintendent District Jail Kathua. The notices were accepted in open court by Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, who appeared for the Government of J&K. The Court granted time to the government to file its response by or before October 14, the next date of hearing.
The detention order in question, vide number 05 of 2025 dated September 8, 2025, was passed by the District Magistrate Doda under Section 8 of the J&K Public Safety Act. Malik’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Rahul Pant with Advocates S.S. Ahmed, Appu Singh Slathia, M. Zulkarnain Chowdhary and Joginder Singh Thakur, argued that the order was arbitrary and motivated by personal bias.
