AAP Forms Power-Packed Legal Team to Free Detained MLA
Legal team challenges Mehraj Malik's PSA detention.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has assembled a formidable 10-member legal team to contest the controversial detention of its Jammu and Kashmir unit president and sitting MLA, Mehraj Malik, under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA). The 37-year-old legislator from Doda was arrested on September 8, accused of disturbing public order in the district, a move that has ignited widespread outrage and protests across the region.
Malik's detention triggered violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces, prompting authorities to enforce strict prohibitory orders under Section 144 and suspend mobile internet and broadband services in affected areas to curb escalating tensions. AAP has decried the arrest as politically motivated, vowing to pursue every legal avenue to secure Malik's immediate release.
Senior AAP leader and former Delhi minister Imran Hussain announced the legal squad via a post on X, emphasizing the party's unwavering solidarity. "AAP stands strong with our MLA Mehraj Malik, arrested under PSA. A strong legal team led by Senior Advocate Nirmal K Kotwal, with Adv Muzaffar Khan, Adv Sheik Shakeel Ahmad, and Adv 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," Hussain declared.
Also Read: AAP Protests MLA Mehraj Malik’s Detention in J&K
AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal echoed the sentiment in a supportive X post, expressing optimism about justice prevailing. "I have full hope that Mehraj Malik will get justice and he will come out soon," Kejriwal stated, highlighting the party's commitment to defending its leaders against what it perceives as misuse of draconian laws.
The PSA, often criticized by human rights organizations for its broad provisions allowing preventive detention without trial for up to two years, has been a contentious tool in Jammu and Kashmir since its enactment in 1978. Malik's case adds to growing concerns over the law's application in the union territory, especially post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which has reshaped the region's political landscape.
As the legal battle unfolds, AAP's initiative underscores its expanding footprint in Jammu and Kashmir, where it seeks to challenge established parties like the BJP and National Conference. The party's legal push could galvanize support among locals disillusioned with frequent detentions and internet blackouts, potentially influencing upcoming electoral dynamics. With the high-powered team now in action, all eyes are on the courts as Malik's supporters rally for his release, framing the fight as a stand for democratic rights and free speech.
