Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday clarified that the government had not sought any permission from him regarding the arrest of MLA Doda, Mehraj Malik.
Rather explained that under Rule 260 of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker’s role is limited to being informed about the arrest of any legislator. “In Mehraj’s case, I too was informed and the same I conveyed to legislators,” Rather said.He said that his office was not consulted nor required to give approval for the detention. “No permission was sought from me. I have no role in his arrest. The order has been issued by the District Commissioner. My only responsibility is to communicate the matter to the members,” he noted.
The Speaker further underlined that the decision on the legality of the arrest lies with the judiciary. “Rest, the court has to decide if anything has been done wrong,” he added.
The arrest of Mehraj Malik has sparked sharp reactions across political circles, with several parties condemning the move and questioning the grounds of his detention. Critics argue that the action sets a “dangerous precedent” by undermining the rights of elected representatives.The matter is now expected to be taken up in the courts, where Malik’s legal team will contest the charges against him.
Meanwhile condemnations from political parties continue to pour in with both opposition and ruling parties on the same page. Jammu Kashmir National Conference launched a scathing attack on the administration over the detention of Doda legislator Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), describing the move as an assault on democracy and a dangerous precedent in the region’s political landscape.
“Invoking the Public Safety Act (PSA) against MLA Mehraj Malik is unjustifiable. Such misuse erodes public trust in institutions and reduces a legal safeguard into an instrument of suppression. We strongly condemn the use of abusive language by Mehraj Malik, but this is not justice; it is repression,” Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said.
Condemning the action, JKNC leaders said the arrest of a sitting MLA was a direct insult to the people’s mandate. Party veteran Bashir Ahmad Veeri also denounced the move, stressing that differences with Malik’s politics could not justify such a measure. “Calling him a ‘grave threat to peace and order’ is baseless. Slapping PSA on a sitting legislator reflects a colonial mindset and is beyond comprehension,” he said.
Salman Ali Sagar, another senior JKNC leader, warned that the detention set a “dangerous precedent” in Jammu and Kashmir post-2019. “This is about silencing political voices and shrinking democratic space. Free speech and dissent are cornerstones of democracy, not crimes,” he said. Congress, ruling alliance partner with Omar Abdullah has also criticised the move terming it as action to divert public attention from real issues. PDP leadership has also sharply condemned slapping of PSA on the MLA.
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