Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 24: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today admitted the Habeas Corpus Petition filed by MLA Doda (East) Mehraj Malik, challenging his preventive detention under the J&K Public Safety Act, 1978.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, while hearing the plea, issued post-admission notices to the Principal Secretary (Home), District Magistrate Doda, SSP Doda and Superintendent District Jail Kathua. The notices were accepted in court by Senior AAG Monika Kohli, who was granted time to file the Government’s response by or before October 14, 2025.
Appearing for the detenue, Senior Advocate Rahul Pant assisted by Advocates S S Ahmed, Appu Singh Slathia, M Zulkarnain Chowdhary and Joginder Singh Thakur argued that the case be treated with urgency as Malik is an elected representative, whose detention hampers his ability to discharge public duties. The petition seeks quashment of Detention Order No. 05 of 2025 dated September 8, issued by the District Magistrate, Doda, and also claims Rs 5 crore compensation for alleged curtailment of personal liberty of MLA.The matter, described as one of “wide public importance”, will come up for further hearing on October 14, 2025.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
