Jammu, Sep 24 (KNO): After 16 days of his arrest under the Public Safety Act (PSA), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Doda, Mehraj Malik, challenged his detention in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh here on Wednesday.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the petition, filed through his counsel Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, seeks the quashing of Detention Order No. 05 of 2025, dated September 8, issued by the District Magistrate, Doda, under Section 8 of the J&K PSA, 1978.
Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul admitted the Habeas Corpus petition and issued post-admission notices to the Principal Secretary, Home Department; District Magistrate, Doda; SSP, Doda; and Superintendent, District Jail, Kathua. Notices were also issued to private respondent Deputy Commissioner, S. Harvinder Singh (IAS).
Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, appearing for the government, was given time to file the response by October 14, 2025, the next hearing date.
During the hearing, Malik’s counsel requested the shortest possible time for the respondents to file their reply, citing the urgency as Malik is an elected representative whose duties require his presence.
The petition challenges the detention on several grounds, including alleged personal bias by the District Magistrate. Malik has also claimed compensation of Rs 5 crore for curtailment of his personal liberty.
The High Court is scheduled to consider the matter again on October 14, 2025—(KNO)