The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has quashed the preventive detention of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act.
April 27, 2026: The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has quashed the detention of Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act, granting major relief after he remained in custody since September 2025. The court’s decision came after hearing a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention on grounds of alleged threats to public order.
Following the verdict, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal welcomed the decision, calling Malik’s struggle an inspiration. Malik, who represents the Doda constituency and heads AAP’s Jammu & Kashmir unit, had been lodged in Kathua jail since his detention. The court had reserved its judgment in February, and the detailed order is still awaited.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also hailed the ruling, noting that Malik spent 229 days in prison before the PSA charges were quashed. He welcomed Malik’s release and strongly criticised the use of preventive detention, calling the verdict a victory for justice.