J&K Assembly Denies Backing PSA Against AAP MLA
Secretariat denies endorsing PSA against detained MLA Mehraj Malik.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat issued a strong rebuttal on Monday, dismissing media reports and social media claims that it endorsed the use of the Public Safety Act (PSA) against Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, who was detained under the stringent preventive detention law. The clarification comes amid controversy surrounding Malik’s arrest, as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) J&K unit president was transferred to Kathua district jail on Monday evening.
In an official communiqué, the Secretariat labeled the reports as “factually incorrect and baseless,” emphasizing that it has no role in the decision to invoke the PSA against Malik. The statement addressed misinformation circulating on platforms like X, where claims suggested the Secretariat supported the detention. Instead, the body clarified its obligations under Rule 260 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, which mandates informing all MLAs about a member’s detention.
According to Rule 260, the Speaker must share such communications with the House during a session or, if the House is not in session, ensure they are published in the bulletin for members’ information. The Secretariat underscored that its actions were limited to fulfilling this procedural requirement, not endorsing the legal action against Malik.
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The detention of Malik, a prominent AAP figure, has sparked debate, with supporters questioning the use of the PSA, known for allowing detention without trial. The Secretariat’s statement aims to quell misinformation, but the incident continues to fuel discussions about political detentions in the region.
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